AI Deepfake Targets UK Politician in Fake Defection Video

MP Targeted by AI-Generated Deepfake

A startling new example of artificial intelligence being used for political disinformation has emerged, as Conservative MP George Freeman reported a fabricated video to the police. The "AI-generated deepfake" falsely showed the Mid Norfolk MP announcing he was leaving the Conservative party to join Reform UK.

In a public Facebook post, Freeman strongly condemned the video, highlighting the growing threat of AI-driven misinformation as a "concerning and dangerous development" for modern politics.

The Fabricated Defection Video

The deepfake clip, which was shared widely across online platforms, appeared to show the former minister speaking directly to the camera. The AI-generated version of Freeman claimed that the "time for half measures is over" and that the "Conservative party had lost its way," using these fabricated statements to announce a switch in allegiance to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), the MP has unequivocally stated he has “no intention of joining Reform or any other party.”

A Dangerous Threat to Democracy

Responding to the incident, Freeman expressed his alarm. "The video is a fabrication, created without my knowledge or consent, and uses my image and voice without permission," he stated. "Regardless of my position as an MP, that should be an offence.”

He further warned of the broader implications, adding, “This sort of political disinformation has the potential to seriously distort, disrupt and corrupt our democracy.” Freeman noted that he was unsure if the video was a targeted “politically motivated attack” or simply a “dangerous prank,” but he pointed to a recent “huge increase in political disinformation, disruption and extremism” across the political spectrum.

Authorities Alerted as Disinformation Spreads

Freeman has taken official action by reporting the video to the authorities. "I have reported this matter to the relevant authorities, and I urge anyone who sees the video to report it immediately rather than share it further,” he urged the public. Norfolk police have since been contacted for comment on the matter.

Elected in 2010, George Freeman has held several ministerial roles, most recently serving as the minister for science, innovation and technology, making this incident a stark warning of how advanced technology can be weaponized in the political arena.