Deepfake video falsely shows UK MP George Freeman defecting to Reform UK
An AI-generated deepfake video falsely showing Conservative MP George Freeman announcing his defection to Reform UK was posted on social media in October 2025. Freeman reported the video to Meta and police, but it was not removed and no existing law prohibited such use of his identity. He is now working with other MPs to establish legislation against political deepfakes.
What happened
In October 2025, an AI-generated deepfake video showed George Freeman, the Conservative MP for Mid Norfolk, apparently announcing he was leaving the Conservative Party and joining Reform UK. The video, posted on Facebook and X, appeared to show Freeman in his parliamentary office saying the party was 'a busted flush, a failing organisation'.
Freeman reported the video to Meta (which owns Facebook), but was told it did not breach Meta's guidelines. He also reported the matter to Norfolk Police and found there was no law against using somebody's identity in this way.
Reported impact
Freeman said he was 'bombarded by messages from friends and colleagues accusing him of betrayal', with people calling him 'unrepeatable names'. He described the experience as similar to being mugged, stating 'in 15 seconds, somebody who you don't know, from the comfort of their own anonymity, can destroy your career with no comeback'.
Freeman warned that such deepfakes could corrupt democracy if released before an election, potentially causing voters to reject a candidate based on misrepresentation.
Index analysis
Freeman is discussing with House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle and MPs from all parties how to outlaw political deepfakes, distinguishing this from legitimate satire. He stated the incident raised questions about whether it was a 'politically motivated attack' or a 'dangerous prank'.
Governance controls
Meta declined to remove the video, stating it did not breach the platform's guidelines. Freeman has called for legislation to make creating and spreading deepfakes of public figures an offence.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.