4th Report - Disinformation diplomacy: How malign actors are seeking to undermine democracy

Select Committee
Foreign Affairs Committee HC 703 27 March 2026
Report Status Government responded
Conclusions & Recommendations 55 items (33 recs)
Source View on Parliament website
Government Response (AI assessment · 55 of 55 classified)
Accepted 8
Accepted in Part 15
Acknowledged 4
Deferred 4
Not Addressed 21
Rejected 3
Government response
2nd Special Report - Disinformation diplomacy: How malign actors are seeking to undermine democracy: Government Response · published 8 Jun 2026
Read the government response ↗ Response on the tracker
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Recommendations & Conclusions

4 results
35 Recommendation Deferred
The Government should establish an AI counter disinformation sandbox to test the boundaries of regulation...
Recommendation
The Government should establish an AI counter disinformation sandbox to test the boundaries of regulation and technology. The sandbox should facilitate experimentation of AI tools across Whitehall, the intelligence community and trusted international partners. (Recommendation, Paragraph 165) Read more
Government Response Summary
The government partially agrees, stating it will assess the utility of existing AI sandboxes and scope whether a bespoke AI counter-disinformation sandbox would be useful, rather than immediately establishing one.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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38 Recommendation Deferred
It is our view that the Government has created an unnecessarily fragmented approach to countering...
Recommendation
It is our view that the Government has created an unnecessarily fragmented approach to countering foreign information manipulation and interference, with no one department or associated body taking overall leadership. This has created a system which seems to prioritise discussion … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government partially agrees, noting that the Rycroft Review also highlighted fragmentation issues. It will take the Committee's suggestion for an NCSC-like model into account alongside the Rycroft Review conclusions and lessons from allies, without committing to specific action yet.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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39 Recommendation Deferred
To ensure a whole-of-society approach, the Government should establish a public-facing National Counter Disinformation Centre.
Recommendation
To ensure a whole-of-society approach, the Government should establish a public-facing National Counter Disinformation Centre. The UK’s National Counter Disinformation Centre should be placed on a statutory footing, be subject to oversight by Parliament, and be directed to understand, identify … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government partially agrees, acknowledging the need for a joined-up approach, but defers action by stating it will note the suggestion and take it into account alongside the conclusions of the Rycroft Review and lessons from allies.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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52 Recommendation Deferred
We welcome the Government’s proposals to explore options to address potential digital replica harms including...
Recommendation
We welcome the Government’s proposals to explore options to address potential digital replica harms including whether a new statutory regime of personality rights may be appropriate to protect individuals against the threat of deepfakes. At a minimum, the Government should … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government partially agrees, acknowledging concerns but stating it will launch a consultation in the summer to seek views on addressing digital replica harms, deferring a commitment to specific personality rights coverage.
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
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