Committee publication · Correspondence · 20 January 2026
Correspondence from Minister Doughty following up on the oral evidence session on 06 January, dated 19 January
From: Foreign Affairs Committee
Inquiry: Disinformation diplomacy: How malign actors are seeking to undermine democracy
Summary
Minister Stephen Doughty responds to the Foreign Affairs Committee's questions from oral evidence on 6 January, providing follow-up information on UK counter-disinformation work. He outlines government funding commitments to Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans (figures withheld for security), details Chinese state-affiliated information operations targeting Canada, Philippines, and Taiwan, describes the Defending Democracy Taskforce's structure and three-pillar approach, and confirms the BBC funding timeline and media freedom priorities.
Key findings
- UK remains committed to supporting Eastern Europe and Western Balkans against Russian information warfare, including programming on hybrid threats and civil society support, though specific funding figures cannot be disclosed for security reasons.
- Government cites examples of Chinese FIMI campaigns: Canada exposed China-linked operations targeting parliamentarians in 2023; Philippines reported possible Chinese interference in May 2025 midterm elections; Taiwan authorities reported 60% increase in mainland China misinformation in 2024 aimed at undermining democratic institutions.
- Defending Democracy Taskforce comprises relevant government departments, police, Parliamentary authorities, and UK Intelligence Community, meeting every two months and organised around three pillars: electoral security, institutional defence against interference, and democratic society resilience.
- BBC World Service funding allocations will be announced in good time before 2026/27 financial year; media freedom remains a government priority.
- FCDO's 'FCDO2030' modernisation programme aims to make the department leaner and more effective while maintaining investment in countering hybrid threats and FIMI as a strategic priority.
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Stephen Doughty MP, Emily Thornberry DBE, Foreign Affairs Committee, Government of Canada, Philippines National Security Council, Taiwan authorities, BBC
Notable line
“UK opposes any activity – including information manipulation or misinformation – that undermines peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and the free and fair operation of democratic …”
Key Quotes
“… we remain committed to supporting our partners in Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans in the face of Russia's growing information warfare .”
“The 'Spamouflage' operations, identified by our Canadian partners as a technique to amplify false or misleading content, indicates the potential scale of FIMI campaigns and the complex coordination that can underpin these.”
“Taiwan authorities stated this was part of an attempt to manipulate Taiwan's information ecosystem, sow mistrust in democratic institutions and undermine Taiwanese leadership within a broader pressure campaign.”
“The Taskforce meets regularly, usually every two months, with its work organised into three pillars: ensuring the safety and security of electoral processes, including planning for local and national elections, ensuring democratic institutions are safe and secure by combating interference, including through cyber-attacks or foreign interference …”
“Countering hybrid threats and FIMI remains an FCDO priority, and we recognise that maintaining this capability will continue to require investment in the right people and skills.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗