Fake footage featuring UK Defence Secretary appears on social media

Spread of fabricated materials

Fabricated videos and photographs have appeared on the social network Facebook, showing UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting wearing a skirt and high-heeled shoes. Malicious actors are using these visual materials to mock the official's sexual orientation and to demonstrate the alleged weakness of Western states.

One user published a fake clip with the accompanying text: “Wes Streeting — Defence Secretary of the United Kingdom. They say Putin is very scared and is thinking about what to do now with this”.

Identifying the source of the fake

Analysis shows that the fabricated video was likely created based on a clip by British journalist Louis Serington, which appeared online on 8 November. In the original recording, Streeting is in London and participating in a ceremony honouring fallen servicemen.

In addition to the video, a fake photo is also being spread on Facebook. It shows the Defence Secretary standing next to the Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero, Miatta Fanbule.*

Fact-checking

During the actual ceremony, Wes Streeting was wearing trousers and classic shoes. The event was documented by several photographers, whose shots are available in open sources. In all authentic photos, it is clearly visible that the minister was not wearing a skirt or high-heeled shoes.