Government aiming to combat ‘fake news’

THE GOVERNMENT is to create a new unit to counter disinformation and “fake news” by foreign powers such as Russia as Ministers launched a fresh review of Britain’s defence capabilities.

The move came as the National Security Council, chaired by Prime Minister Theresa May, agreed the main findings of an across-Whitehall review of national security capabilities.

The Prime Minister’s spokesman said the new national security communications unit would build on existing capabilities and would be tasked with “combating disinformation by state actors and others”.

“It will more systematically deter our adversaries and help us deliver on our national security priorities,” the spokesman said, adding that the decision to mount a new defence review – to be carried out by the Ministry of Defence – reflected the need to deliver better military capability in a “sustainable and affordable” way.

The move to spin off the defence element from the main National Security Capability Review (NSCR) being conducted by the National Security adviser Sir Mark Sedwill will be seen as a partial victory for Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson, who has been resisting pressure to make further defence cuts.

Under Sir Mark’s plans, defence chiefs had drawn up proposals for swingeing reductions – including cutting back the size of the Army and scrapping the Royal Navy’s two amphibious assault ships.

The announcement comes after the head of the Army, General Sir Nick Carter, warned Britain’s ability to counter threats to national security would be “eroded” if it failed to keep up with potential aggressors like Russia.