Fake AI video of Norfolk MP sparks police action
AI-generated clips falsely showed George Freeman joining Reform and Labour parties.
A widely shared AI-generated video claiming to show George Freeman, Conservative MP for Mid Norfolk, defecting to Reform UK has sparked a police investigation and raised fresh concerns about the impact of digital deepfakes on democracy.
The video, which was created by an anonymous individual, appeared to show the long-serving MP – who is a former technology minister – joining Nigel Farage’s party. Mr Freeman reported the fake video to the police, and Norfolk officers now say they are “working with his team” on the matter.
The person who produced the video said the video was created to show how “people are incapable of distinguishing fact from fiction”.
After the video circulated on social media, Mr Freeman attempted to have it removed from Facebook and described the incident as “highly damaging for our democracy”.
Fact-checking group Full Fact analysed the video, matching Mr Freeman’s outfit and background to a legitimate YouTube update he posted in April 2020. Investigators said AI had been used to lip-sync new audio to his movements and identified signs of deepfake technology in the unnatural cadence and intonation of his speech.
Another suspected fake video with similar attributes appeared online, seemingly showing Mr Freeman discussing seizing Norfolk farmland for development. Experts found no evidence he ever made such statements.
Norfolk Police confirmed they were aware of the video but did not say if a crime had been committed. A spokeswoman said: “We have been made aware of the video and remain in contact with Mr Freeman’s office.”