UK lives in DANGER because of Russian propaganda and fake news over MMR jabs

Experts have previously warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s government has been trying to erode trust in US and European Governments by spreading lies on social media and “fake news”.

But now it is feared the Kremlin is using the same techniques of misinformation over flu jabs and the MMR measles vaccine.

Chris Phillips, former head of National Counter Terrorism Security Office, said it has become a threat to daily life.

He told the Mirror: “This is all about destabilisation by external forces. War is ever changing and becoming much more cyber-based.

“For generations, governments in the UK and the West have been extremely worried about destabilisation from external forces.

“The Russians have long felt that the UK, America and the European Union is a major threat to them so have developed major strategies in how to interfere with politics, policy, and now it seems the interference is impacting on vital decisions in our daily lives.”

He added that the art of being able to exert control over a society is arguably one of the most powerful weapons in modern warfare.

He continued: “If the Russian government, or whoever, wishes to exert this kind of influence, is able to cause difficulty in decisions, in trusting the government of the day in that country, or otherwise trusted media and news organisations, then so much the better for them.”

Public Health England and the Royal College of GPs have repeatedly expressed concern over the amount of fake news shared online and social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

Health officials are investigating whether an outbreak of measles last week in Liverpool and Leeds was fuelled by parents not vaccinating children due to “false information on the internet”.

Measles was nearly eliminated in the 1990s but bad publicity meant vaccination rates fell below 85 per cent in 2005.

Health chiefs are worried the tide could be turned back due to external forces pushing false agendas.

Head of immunisation in Public Health England, Dr Mary Ramsay, said: “All of the cases we’re seeing are in children and young adults who haven’t received the MMR vaccine.

“This serves as an important reminder for parents to take up the offer of the MMR vaccination for their children when offered at one year of age and as a pre-school booster at three years and four months of age.

“If children and young adults have missed these vaccinations in the past, it’s important to take up the vaccine now from GPs, particularly in light of the recent cases in Liverpool and Leeds.”

Health chiefs have had emergency meetings over the spread of “fake news” over vaccination campaigns.

The threat has become so great that Government departments have been ordered to monitor social media to flag up risky articles.

Moscow has been accused of having cyber armies to push out hundreds of articles from thousands of fake accounts.

It is believed automated social media accounts, or “bots”, were used to influence the US election and to back Catalans to break away from Spain.

Mr Phillips added: “Social media is a huge issue for Government.

“Whether it is misinformation by other government states or individuals, the power has moved from the Government into the hands of individuals who may wish to cause us harm.

“The emergence of ‘fake news’ is happening every day. It spreads fear and distrust through lies and misinformation.

“Military chiefs have long prepared for this, but we are battling an ever-increasing threat with new methods evolving every day.

“Now, we’re seeing every aspect of our lives being affected. One thing is for certain, nothing is off limits.”

Russia has also been accused of trying to influence Brexit and the Scottish independence vote.

The recent news comes as EU President Donald Tusk suggested that Russia had interfered to sway the Brexit referendum result.

The EU Council president railed against “cyber attacks, fake news, hybrid war” spread by the Kremlin and then suggested these may have impacted Britain’s vote to leave.

Mr Tusk appears to have been referring to the PM’s speech to the Lord Mayor’s Banquet, at Mansion House, in which she spoke about Vladimir Putin’s actions but did not say he had interfered in the UK.