Andy Burnham has condemned Russia for an “insidious campaign” of misinformation attacks against the UK.
Speaking at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, the prime minister said he had ordered security chiefs to set up a new unit to tackle the problem.
Amongst other accusations against Vladimir Putin, Burnham said the government had evidence that Russia tried to interfere in the 2019 general election.
The PM said the new National Centre for Information Defence will tackle online lies and deepfakes damaging British interests.
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He told delegates in New York that the UK and its allies had been subjected to an “industrial-scale assault” by hostile states, including Russia.
“Russian agencies have used every means at their disposal to spread lies and disinformation and prey on people’s fear,” he said.
“They’ve used bots and fake websites. Falsified newspaper articles. Forged the branding of 28 British organisations – including universities and the BBC. They’ve amplified far-right narratives.
“And we have evidence that they tried to interfere with the 2019 general election.”
This accusation was first made in 2020 by then-foreign secretary Dominic Raab, when he said Russia had amplified an illicitly acquired NHS dossier on social media.
“We also know that they have tried to stoke tensions and unrest in the wake of horrific events. The idea that anyone would try to use such things to their advantage is just repulsive – but it is what they do.”
Burnham said the Kremlin spends some £1.3bn a year on “manipulating information” and warned things would only get worse with the rise of artificial intelligence unless action is taken.
The Labour leader this was an “insidious campaign that reaches into people’s homes and twists what they feel about their own country and community – creating a narrative of decline, stoking division and sowing despair.”
Burnham spoke of how some individuals were much more susceptible to this misinformation than others.
“If you’re struggling with the cost of living and your life is not improving – or if you’re a young person not in employment, education or training – then you are going to be much more vulnerable to this kind of influence,” he said.
He continued: “We have tiptoed around this for too long.
“Over the last decade we have given too much ground to those who want to run a negative, corrosive narrative about life in Britain, which bears no resemblance to reality. Well, no more.
“We are going to face the new decade in a different way – with our eyes wide open.
“We are going to be much prouder in standing up for our values and the rule of law.”
Burnham’s comments came after Donald Trump had claimed that Keir Starmer’s rhetoric towards Moscow had been “too tough” and that the British government “needs to be a little bit careful.”
This was dismissed by Downing Street, who said every UK prime minister had been consistent in the view that Russia’s threats were “egregious and unacceptable”.
“The UK is united with our allies on the importance of defending ourselves, and Russia’s aggression will not deter us from supporting Ukraine,” the prime minister’s official spokesperson added.