🇬🇧 The Information Battle of Britain

How British influencers, ideologues, and grifters reshaped global narratives and exported authoritarianism

“The future is already here—it’s just unevenly distributed.”
— William Gibson

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🇬🇧 From Empire to Engine of Disinformation

Since the early 2010s, the United Kingdom has witnessed a surge in disinformation campaigns, not through traditional statecraft but via influential figures, media outlets, and political operatives. While the nation grappled with its post-Brexit identity, a coalition of British influencers began reshaping global narratives, often in service of authoritarian regimes and anti-democratic ideologies.

Figures like David Icke, Piers Corbyn, and George Galloway have long been at the forefront of this movement. Icke, once a mainstream sports broadcaster, reinvented himself as a conspiracy theorist, promoting ideas ranging from alien reptilian overlords to COVID-19 being a hoax. His theories have been widely debunked but continue to resonate with a segment of the population.

Piers Corbyn, a climate change denier and brother of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, has been arrested multiple times for his anti-lockdown protests and has compared COVID-19 vaccination programs to Nazi atrocities, drawing widespread condemnation.

George Galloway, a veteran politician, has oscillated between left-wing and populist stances, often aligning with pro-Kremlin narratives and using his platforms to amplify anti-Western sentiments.

These individuals, among others, have leveraged various media platforms to disseminate their views, often blurring the lines between legitimate political discourse and harmful disinformation. Their influence has been amplified by the rise of social media and alternative news outlets, creating an environment where misinformation can spread rapidly and widely.

This article delves into the complex landscape of UK's disinformation landscape, examining the roles of key figures and organisations in shaping public perception and influencing political outcomes.

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🕸️ A New Empire of Influence

Though ideologically diverse—ranging from Red Pill libertarians to Assadist leftists—this sprawling network shares deep alignment on several global narratives:

• NATO and Ukraine are aggressors

• COVID lockdowns were authoritarian overreach

• Climate change is exaggerated or a hoax

• The West is corrupt and in decline

• Authoritarian “multipolar” regimes are misunderstood or virtuous

Some speak the language of Marx, others of markets. But together, they operate as a soft-power alliance, legitimising disinformation from Russia, Iran, China, and the far-right digital underworld.

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🔵 Right-Wing Populists & Reactionaries

Nigel Farage
Key architect of Brexit, GB News presenter, and prominent ally of Donald Trump. He has consistently promoted anti-immigration, anti-EU sentiment, and occasionally expressed pro-Russian sympathies. Was employed by John Mappin. Regularly appeared on RT/Sputnik, sometimes with George Galloway. Popular with Elon Musk and Donald Trump until they fell out with him about Tommy Robinson.

Tommy Robinson
Founder of the English Defence League (EDL) and a leading figure in anti-Islam activism with significant international far-right connections. Backed by Elon Musk and Rupert Lowe (a lesser known ex-Reform MP)

Clare Fox
Libertarian peer and commentator on GB News, previously associated with revolutionary communist groups; influential in mainstreaming libertarian anti-woke rhetoric. Linked to Spiked, Academy of Ideas and Unherd

John Mappin

Mappin is a British businessman and media figure best known for his ownership of Camelot Castle Hotel in Tintagel, Cornwall. He has gained international attention for his active promotion of far-right conspiracy theories, particularly those associated with the QAnon movement. Mappin has publicly supported former U.S. President Donald Trump and has been involved in various media ventures that align with his political views. He has also been associated with the promotion of the "No Farms No Foods" campaign, which advocates for the protection of British agriculture and food sovereignty. Additionally, Mappin has been linked to the Marshall owned Spectator.

David Kurten
Heritage Party leader and former UKIP member known for anti-vaccine activism and conspiracist rhetoric around COVID-19, Ukraine and immigration.

Paul Golding
Leader of Britain First, connects the UK's far-right scene with global nationalist movements.

Toby Young
Founder of the Free Speech Union and Daily Sceptic; influential voice against public health measures and climate change science. Proposed as head of the Students Watchdog by Boris Johnson (again)

James Delingpole
Influential climate-change denier and conservative commentator aligned with hard-right cultural narratives.

Paul Marshall

Marshall is a British hedge fund manager and influential figure in the UK's right-wing media landscape. He co-founded Marshall Wace, a prominent hedge fund known for its innovative trading strategies. Marshall has significantly expanded his influence by acquiring and funding several media outlets that promote conservative and anti-establishment viewpoints.

Winston Marshall & Melissa Chen

This Marshall is a British musician and former member of the band Mumford & Sons. After leaving the band, he became involved in right-wing commentary and media. He hosts "The Winston Marshall Show," a podcast that features interviews with conservative figures and discussions on culture and politics.

Chen is a Singaporean-born journalist and activist known for her advocacy of free speech and criticism of authoritarian regimes. She is a contributing editor for The Spectator

Marshall and Chen are engaged and have been featured together at various media events. They are associated with right-wing media platforms and have been involved in discussions on topics such as free speech, cancel culture, and the role of media in society. They were recently deported from Israel for unknown reasons

Munira Mirza – Once an RCP activist and Spiked contributor, Mirza rose to prominence as Boris Johnson’s Director of Policy.

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🌀 Conspiracists & Fringe Ideologues

David Icke
Icke is a British conspiracy theorist and former sports broadcaster who has gained international notoriety for promoting a range of pseudoscientific and antisemitic beliefs. Since the 1990s, he has authored over 20 books and delivered lectures in more than 25 countries, advocating for his theories.

Russell Brand
Brand is a comedian, actor, and podcaster who has transformed into a prominent figure in alternative media, advocating anti-establishment, anti-vaccine, and pro-conspiracy narratives. Once known for his mainstream comedic roles, Brand has since cultivated a substantial online presence, amassing millions of followers across platforms like YouTube and Rumble. He is a friend of RFKJr and Donald Trump Jr. He is currently facing accusations of sexual crimes.

Piers Corbyn
Corbyn is a British weather “forecaster”, anti-vaccine activist, and conspiracy theorist, known for promoting a range of unfounded and controversial ideas. He is the elder brother of former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn. He has been associated with various far-right and conspiracy theorist groups. He has spoken at events organized by the "Keep Talking" group, which has promoted Holocaust denial and other conspiracy theories. Additionally, he has appeared on platforms known for hosting far-right content, such as The Richie Allen Show, which has featured guests like neo-Nazi and former British National Party activist Mark Collett.

John Bowe
Actor known from Emmerdale, turned influential anti-lockdown and vaccine conspiracy activist.

Andrew & Tristan Tate
The Tates are British-American influencers who have gained notoriety for promoting misogynistic and far-right ideologies through their online platforms. Andrew Tate, a former kickboxer, has been dubbed the "king of toxic masculinity" and is known for his extreme views on gender roles, often referring to women as "property" and endorsing violence against them. His brother, Tristan, shares similar views and has been associated with promoting these ideologies alongside Andrew. They are close friends of the Trumps and have been photographed with Farage and are under house arrest for Trafficking in Romania.

James Melville
Influencer blending mainstream commentary with conspiratorial narratives on public health and geopolitics.

Dan Wootton, Neil Oliver, Calvin Robinson
Prominent (ex)GB News presenters, instrumental in propagating anti-vaccine, anti-lockdown, and conservative cultural narratives.

Andrew Bridgen

Bridgen is a vocal critic of the UK's COVID-19 vaccination program, often likening the vaccine programme to the Holocaust. Despite his expulsion from the Conservative Party, he continues to advocate for his positions through various platforms.

Laurence Fox

Fox is a British actor, musician, and political activist. His political views and public statements have made him a polarizing figure in British media. While he has a following among those who share his views on free speech and opposition to political correctness, he has also faced significant criticism for his controversial remarks and legal troubles.

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🔴 Authoritarian-Aligned / State-Apologist Influencers

George Galloway
Leader of Workers Party of Britain; high-profile advocate for authoritarian regimes (Russia, Syria, Iran) through RT and PressTV. Also regularly interacted with Nigel Farage, The Tate Brothers and Jackson Hinkle. Main driving force behind Laroucheite No2Nato

Jeremy Corbyn
Corbyn is a British politician and former leader of the Labour Party, known for his longstanding advocacy of anti-imperialist, anti-war, and anti-austerity policies. Since stepping down as Labour leader in 2020, Corbyn has maintained a prominent role in international movements, notably as a member of the Progressive International (PI), a global coalition of left-wing political and social organisations. He has also been a leading figure in the Stop the War Coalition, a UK-based organisation campaigning against military interventions and NATO expansion. He also celebrated the release of Graham Phillips from jail in Ukraine.

Andrew Murray
Former Unite chief of staff, influential behind-the-scenes figure in anti-war movements, SARU and Stop the War Coalition; long-term advocate of anti-NATO, pro-Russian positions.

Richard Medhurst, Jonny Miller, Chay Bowes, Kit Klarenberg, Glenn Greenwald, Chris Williamson
Pro-Assad, pro-Russian propagandists with extensive presence on RT, PressTV, and The Grayzone; actively shape anti-Western narratives. Formed a key part of the White Helmets conspiracy and WikiLeaks/Snowden

Graham Phillips
Sanctioned UK citizen embedded with Russian military forces in Ukraine; produces Kremlin-aligned propaganda - connected to SARU, Andrew Murray, Jeremy Corbyn and the RMT leadership

Eddie Dempsey
Influential RMT trade union General Secretary was openly sympathetic to Russian miltia in Donbas and Luhansk from 2014 onwards, advocates against Western support for Ukraine.

Joti Brar

Prominent figure in the CPGB-ML, serving as the Vice-Chair of the party. She is the daughter of Harpal Brar, the founder of the CPGB-ML

Huda Ammori

Co-founder of Palestine Action, Huda Ammori is a prominent activist of Palestinian and Iraqi descent. Ammori has been arrested multiple times, including a notable incident in 2020 when she was detained under counter-terrorism powers.

Sarah Wilkinson

A journalist and activist who has been involved with Palestine Action. In 2024, Wilkinson was detained during a counter-terrorism operation, prior to the proscription of Palestine Action

Piers Robinson, David Miller, Vanessa Beeley, Paul McKeigue, Tara McCormack, Tim Hayward

All are members of the Working Group on Syria, Propaganda and Media (WGSPM) a disinformation group aligned with Iran and Bashar Assad. The members regularly appear on PressTV and RT/Sputnik

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🧠 Ideological Catalysts

Nick Land
Influential philosopher from Warwick University behind the 'Dark Enlightenment'; ideological catalyst for the neo-reactionary (NRx) movement and tech-driven authoritarian thought.

Curtis Yarvin
U.S.-based neo-reactionary thinker heavily influenced by Nick Land; major ideological force behind Silicon Valley’s authoritarian-leaning techno-libertarianism.

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🏷️ Infrastructure: Groups & Platforms

• GB News: Central to mainstreaming right-wing populism, conspiracies, and climate denial. Funded by Paul Marshall along with Unherd and The Spectator

• Spiked Online
  A UK publishing network that evolved from the 2000 collapse of Living Marxism by the Revolutionary Communist Party (RCP).

• Workers Party of Britain: George Galloway political vehicle for pro-Russian and anti-Western advocacy and Laroucheite groups.

• CPGB-ML: a far-left, Stalinist, anti-revisionist Marxist–Leninist party, founded in 2004 by Harpal Brar. Connected also to George Galloway

• Free Speech Union / Daily Sceptic: Prominent media outlets promoting denialism around COVID-19 and climate change.

• Turning Point UK: British branch of the US-based conservative youth movement; amplifies culture-war narratives.

• PressTV / RT UK (banned): Iranian and Russian state media channels hosting UK-based propagandists.

• The Grayzone: Influential U.S.-based media platform employing UK propagandists who defend authoritarian regimes.

• Leave.EU / Cambridge Analytica: Influential in psychographic manipulation and disinformation during Brexit and U.S. elections.

• Great Barrington Declaration: Influential anti-lockdown initiative; later adopted by libertarian and conservative activists.

• No2NATO: Larouchite network advocating UK foreign policy alignment with Russia. Lead by George Galloway.

• Conservative Friends of Russia: Setup by John Whittingdale MP and Carrie Johnson (yes, that Carrie Johnson). Collapsed after the Invasion of Ukraine under scrutiny of FSB connections

• SARU, Progressive International, Stop the War, World anti-Imperialist Network: Anti-war and anti-imperialist groups criticised for supporting authoritarian state narratives.

• NoFarms NoFoods: Prominent online conspiracy group attacking agricultural and climate policies started by James Melville and John Mappin.

• Palestine Action

  A UK-based activist group founded in 2020 by Huda Ammori and Richard Barnard and linked to Progressive International. In July 2025, the UK government proscribed the group under anti-terrorism laws, making membership and support illegal due to increasingly violent attacks against defence infrastructure

• Working Group on Syria, Propaganda and Media (WGSPM)

  The WGSPM is a collective of academics and activists established in 2017 in the UK. Its stated objective is to examine propaganda and information operations related to the Syrian Civil War. The group has promoted narratives including the denial of chemical weapon attacks attributed to the Assad regime.

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📉 Why It Matters

These UK-aligned actors, spanning ideological divides, converge to destabilise democratic trust—denouncing NATO and Ukraine, sowing doubt in science, and normalising authoritarian narratives.

Their disinformation transcends Britain. It’s amplified globally, undermining democratic discourse and inflaming polarisation.

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🧭 What do we need to do?

Britain’s disinformation network isn't fringe—it’s systemic and globally influential. From soap opera actors to politicians, journalists and cryptocurrency influencers, the UK's legacy now includes narrative warfare exported worldwide.

Recognising the scope of this ecosystem is crucial. Combating it demands clarity, democratic resilience, and global cooperation. It’s time for the Main Bastards to fight back.

In the war for truth, understanding the battlefield is essential.

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