National Security officials knew nothing about Theresa May's 'fake news unit' until it was announced
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Theresa May’s ‘fake news unit’ amounts to little more than a handful of extra press officers in the Cabinet Office, leaked Whitehall emails have revealed.
And the announcement sparked confusion among National Security officials, who had never heard of it.
Downing Street last week announced the creation of a specialised Government team dedicated to tackling fake news and disinformation.
The new National Security Communications Unit, the Prime Minister’s spokesman said, would be tasked with: “combating disinformation by state actors and others.
He added: “It will more systematically deter our adversaries and help us deliver on national security priorities.”
Theresa May's 'fake news unit' announcement has itself been branded 'fake news'
But emails seen by the Mirror reveal the announcement sparked chaos in Whitehall, with National Security officials confused that Number 10 was announcing a new team they’d never heard of.
Labour deputy leader Tom Watson said: “You couldn’t make it up - it turns out the government made it up.
“It’s not a fake news unit, it’s a fake announcement. If Theresa May wants to combat disinformation, she should start with her own office.”
(Image: Paul Davey / SWNS.com)
After the announcement, senior National Security civil servants sought to reassure colleagues that in the media briefing a small increase in staffing had been conflated with cross-government work on fake news and disinformation, which had already been planned for a National Security review in the Spring.
The official assures colleagues: “The recommendation that we have consistently outlined in the report is the same as we agreed. Nothing new.”
A Cabinet Office spokesperson said last night: “Any suggestion of the numbers or make-up of this unit is purely speculation.”
A Government spokesperson added: “The Government is committed to tackling disinformation. We will build on existing capabilities by creating a dedicated National Security Communications unit and the NSCR will set out further details when published"