Tory MP reports deepfake video of him defecting to Reform UK to police | Politics | News

A Conservative MP reported a deepfake video of himself announcing his departure from Reform UK to police, according to reports. George Freeman, who has represented Mid Norfolk since 2010, confirmed he “does not intend to join Reform or any other party” after the fake video went viral on social media. In the clip created by artificial intelligence, the politician, who served as a minister in Rishi Sunak’s government, is seen saying that “the time for half measures is over” and claiming that the Conservative Party has “lost its way”.

“A video using AI-generated imagery is circulating on social media announcing that I am leaving the Conservative Party and joining the Reform Party,” he wrote in a post shared on Facebook. “This video is completely fake and fake and I would like to make it clear that I have not left the Conservative Party and joined Reform and have no intention of doing so.”

He added that he did not know whether the video was a “politically motivated attack” or a “dangerous joke” but warned that it was “a fabrication created without my knowledge or consent.”

“Regardless of my position as an MP, this should be a crime,” the former science minister said. “This type of political disinformation has the potential to seriously distort, distort and corrupt our democracy.

“I have reported this matter to the relevant authorities and ask anyone who sees the video to report it immediately rather than sharing it further.”

According to DeepMedia, the number of deepfakes shared online is expected to reach 8 million this year, a huge increase from the 500,000 recorded in 2023.

The government announced plans to make creating sexually explicit deepfake images a criminal offense in January; perpetrators will face up to two years behind bars for sharing intimate AI-generated content without permission.

Norfolk Police have been contacted for comment.