Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Foreign Disinformation

Monday 22 May 2023 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Christian Wakeford inquired about Iranian disinformation efforts and the government's discussions on countering foreign disinformation.
  • The government highlighted the importance of countering disinformation to protect the UK's democracy and security, mentioning the National Security Bill.
  • Holly Lynch criticized the government for being too slow to respond to cyber threats, to which the Home Secretary disagreed, noting recent trade sanctions imposed in response to the Ukraine invasion.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Christian Wakeford Lab Bury South
Democracy & Elections Foreign Affairs
Context

The Times reported in 2021 that Iranian cyber specialists were spreading disinformation to influence the Scottish Parliament elections, and the US Department of Justice shut down 36 Iranian-linked websites the same year.

Question

It is now more than two years since The Times reported that Iranian cyber specialists were peddling disinformation in an attempt to influence the result of the 2021 Scottish Parliament elections. In the same year, the US Department of Justice shut down 36 Iranian-linked websites in a disinformation crackdown. How do the Government intend to combat and disrupt the threat of disinformation spread here in the UK by the murderous Iranian regime?

Answer from Suella Braverman

Disinformation is the concerted effort to create and deliberately spread false or manipulative information, and the hon. Gentleman is right to say that hostile states such as Iran use disinformation as a hostile act against the United Kingdom's interests. We are constantly reviewing our position on Iran, and this is something we take very seriously at the top of Government.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific plans or actions to combat Iranian disinformation were not provided

How: Constantly Reviewing, Take Seriously

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Q2 Christian Wakeford Lab Bury South
Democracy & Elections
Context

The National Security Bill is currently making its way through Parliament.

Question

What discussions has the government had with Cabinet colleagues on countering foreign disinformation in the UK?

Answer from Suella Braverman

Countering foreign disinformation that seeks to subvert and undermine the UK's democracy, prosperity and security is vital. The National Security Bill, which is currently making its way through Parliament, will further strengthen our ability to counter hostile state threats.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific discussions or actions taken are not detailed

How: Vital, Strengthening Ability

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Q3 Holly Lynch Lab
Foreign Affairs
Context

Microsoft's digital defence report outlines how nations including Russia, China and Iran are deploying social media-powered propaganda operations to shape opinion. The Labour party called for an annual report on the extent of disinformation originating from foreign powers during the passage of the National Security Bill.

Question

Does the Home Secretary accept that the Government have been far too slow in responding to the scale of this threat, and that such an annual report represents the bare minimum that the Government should be doing to protect the UK from foreign hostile and sustained cyber-interference?

Answer from Suella Braverman

I disagree with the hon. Lady's characterisation that the Government have been too slow to act on Russian state threats. Following the invasion of Ukraine last year, the UK introduced trade sanctions in relation to internet and online media services, preventing designated entities from using platforms to connect with UK audiences online. The Government designated TV-Novosti and Rossiya Segodnya on 4 May 2023, choking off the Russian Federation's ability to disseminate misinformation across the internet through its state-sponsored RT and Sputnik brands.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Home Secretary did not acknowledge being too slow but provided recent actions taken against Russia

How: Disagree, Actions

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