Farage Attacks UK's New Russian Misinformation Unit as 'Targeted' at Reform
The Reform UK leader is the only senior political figure opposing PM Burnham's plan for a National Centre for Information Defence.
What to know
- UK PM Burnham announced a National Centre for Information Defence at the UN to counter Russian misinformation and deepfakes, citing AI-driven threats to British society.
- Farage is the only senior political figure opposing the unit, claiming it targets Reform UK and threatens free speech; cross-party MPs from Labour, Conservatives, and Lib Dems support it.
- Defence Secretary Streeting pledged the unit will not be used to suppress domestic political dissent or criticism of the government.
Farage's objection to the unit is unfounded or self-serving.
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“The angry little man forgot to think before he tweeted.......”
@dave43law · X ↗
“For too long, the approach of successive governments to disinformation has been disjointed and without organisation, allowing states like Russia to amplify lies about this country, to sow division and stoke tensions.”
Emily Thornberry, Labour MP, foreign affairs select committee chair · HuffPost UK ↗
Andy Burnham Prime Minister
Nigel Farage Reform UK leader
Wes Streeting Defence Secretary
Emily Thornberry Labour MP, foreign affairs select committee chair
How it unfolded 1 development · click the chart to see its coverage posts
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Cross-party MPs support misinformation unit; Streeting defends safeguards
Labour's Emily Thornberry, Conservative John Whittingdale, and Lib Dem Richard Foord backed the initiative. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting insisted the unit would not be used to police domestic political dissent and defended Britain's freedoms.
“One of the great things about Britain, and one of the things that I have a responsibility to defend, is the freedom and democracy that we all enjoy.”
— Wes Streeting -
The angry little man forgot to think before he tweeted....... Nigel Farage Has Attacked The Government's Plans For A New Russia Misinformation Unit The Reform UK leader claimed it is “targeted directly” at his party. https://t.co/iBUmK3qDN5 via @HuffPostUKPol
1 more of the top 2 · 2 posts in this stretch
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I assumed they meant more someone dealing with immigrants than with corrupt politicians.
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background
Farage claims misinformation unit targets Reform UK, threatens free speech — Nigel Farage became the only senior political figure to condemn the government's plans, claiming the unit was 'targeted directly' at his party and would stifle free speech.
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background
PM Burnham announces National Centre for Information Defence — UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced the creation of a new National Centre for Information Defence in his first speech to the UN General Assembly, designed to tackle Russian misinformation, online lies, and deepfakes damaging British interests.