Graham Michael

BREAKING PM Andy Burnham has announced plans for a new National Centre for Information Defence to improve community cohesion and prevent a "distorted and untrue narrative about Britain". The new centre will draw up expertise and best practice, and ensure the UK has the defensive capability necessary to combat information warfare and build national resilience. Mr Burnham said: "There is no national security without a strong, cohesive society. That’s the starting point for everything we hold dear and everything we want to achieve. But the fact is that it has been under attack. "In recent years we have seen an industrial-scale assault by hostile actors on the information environment in the UK and many of our allies.   "Russian agencies have used every means at their disposal to spread lies and disinformation and prey on people’s fears. They’ve used bots and fake websites. Falsified newspaper articles. "Forged the branding of 28 British organisations – including universities and the BBC. They’ve amplified far right narratives. And we have evidence that they tried to interfere with the 2019 General Election. "We also know that they have tried to stoke tensions and unrest in the wake of horrific events. The idea that anyone would try to use such things to their advantage is just repulsive – but it is what they do." More now at @GBNEWS.