Met Police: Deepfake Audio of Mayor Sadiq Khan Not a Criminal Offence

Fake audio clip, amplified by far-right groups, coincides with pro-Palestinian march and Remembrance weekend; officials urge public not to share it.

The Metropolitan Police have stated that a deepfake audio clip of London Mayor Sadiq Khan does not constitute a criminal offence. The clip falsely portrayed Khan suggesting that Armistice Day be rescheduled for a pro-Palestinian march.
The fake audio was circulated and amplified by far-right groups, coinciding with the pro-Palestinian march and Remembrance weekend. Officials, including Security Minister Tom Tugendhat, have urged the public not to share or amplify the clip.
The Met Police prepared for an unprecedented security operation ahead of the pro-Palestine demonstration in London on Armistice Day, deploying almost 2,000 officers across central London due to the risk of clashes with far-right groups.
The deepfake audio clip was part of a larger political controversy, with Home Secretary Suella Braverman accusing the police of 'playing favourites' when they resisted pressure to ban the pro-Palestinian march. Mayor Khan responded by saying that the far-right disorder was a 'direct result' of Braverman's comments.
The incident has raised concerns about the potential impact of deepfake technology on democracy, as this is not the first time a deepfake clip of a political figure has been circulated. A similar incident occurred with a clip of Labour's party leader, Sir Keir Starmer, in October.