Tory MP reports 'deeply disturbing' deepfake video of him defecting to Reform UK to police

A Conservative MP has reported a deepfake video of him announcing his defection to Reform UK to the police, according to reports. George Freeman, who has represented Mid Norfolk since 2010, confirmed he had "no intention of joining Reform or any other party" after the fake video was circulated on social media. The AI-generated clip appeared to show the politician, who served as a minister in Rishi Sunak's government, saying that "the time for half measures is over" and suggesting the Tory party had "lost its way".

"A video has been circulating on social media, using AI-generated imagery of me announcing that I have abandoned the Conservative Party to join the Reform Party," he wrote in a post shared on Facebook. "This video is entirely fake and false and I want to make it absolutely clear that I have not left the Conservative Party to join 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 prank" but warned that it was "a fabrication, created without my knowledge or consent".

"Regardless of my position as an MP, that should be an offence," the former science minister said. "This sort of political disinformation has the potential to seriously distort, disrupt and corrupt our democracy.

"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."

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

The government announced plans to make creating sexually explicit deepfake images a criminal offence in January, with perpetrators facing up to two years behind bars for sharing intimate AI-generated content without consent.

Norfolk Police has been contacted for comment.