Nigel Farage has issued an angry response after Andy Burnham announced new measures to tackle Russian misinformation and interference in British politics.
On Tuesday, the prime minister told the UN General Assembly that the UK had been the victim of ‘repulsive’ misinformation attacks from Russia.
He said he had ordered security chiefs to set up a new unit to tackle an “insidious campaign” from the Kremlin.
Amongst other accusations against Vladimir Putin, Burnham said the government had evidence that Russia tried to interfere in the 2019 general election.
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The PM said the new National Centre for Information Defence will tackle online lies and deepfakes damaging British interests.
Burnham 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.”
Whilst most people would welcome efforts to tackle Russian interference in British affairs and politics, one person isn’t happy about this: Nigel Farage.
In a video statement on Wednesday, the Reform UK leader said the new centre would be the equivalent of a “Ministry of Truth to clamp down on free speech.”
Farage said Burnham was using Russia as an “excuse” to set up the centre.
He continued: “This will be like George Orwell’s Ministry of Information. This will be used to clamp down on free speech.”
Reacting to Farage’s comments, some wondered why the Clacton MP could possibly be against measures to tackle Kremlin interference…