Ex-MP threatens journalist investigating pro-Russia tweets

An investigation into ex-MP Matthew Gordon-Banks’ numerous claims surrounding the Russian invasion of Ukraine has resulted in apparent threats.

This incident arose from the investigation of a series of claims that Gordon-Banks had made over social media.

First off, a disclaimer, to ensure utmost accuracy and objectivity, our investigation into the claims made by Mr. Gordon-Banks followed a rigorous multi-step process. Firstly, each of his statements was collated, catalogued, and cross-referenced with credible sources from both international and local news outlets, and expert commentaries. We reached out to experts in geopolitics, defence, and regional affairs for their insights to give context and weigh the legitimacy of the claims.

Additionally, an open invitation for clarification was extended to Mr. Gordon-Banks, providing an opportunity for him to furnish evidence or elucidate his assertions. This was refused, with Gordon-Banks posting a vague tweet instead.

Through these layers of verification, we aimed to sift fact from fiction, providing our readers with a comprehensive, balanced view of the matter at hand. Our team conferred with various Open Source Intelligence analysts regarding the claims made by Mr. Gordon-Banks. The consensus was clear and consistent across the board.

Background on Gordon-Banks

Matthew Gordon-Banks served as the Conservative MP for Southport from 1992 to 1997. Later, he joined the Liberal Democrats in 2004. With a diverse background, having served in the army, held roles in Barclays Bank, advised on Middle-East affairs, and earned an MBA, he has switched political parties and held various advisory roles over the years. He has been commenting on Russian affairs since 1984.

Gordon-Banks has previously faced suspension from the Lib Dems over a controversial tweet in 2016. Moreover, he was jailed for a driving incident in 2017.

Below are some of his most repeated and recent claims.

Missiles from NATO Member Romania

Gordon-Banks claimed that missiles were being fired from NATO member Romania against Russian targets. No evidence has been provided to support this claim.

Sitrep Black Sea is indeed significant in recent hours; with missiles launched against Russian AF from the territory of Romania!
I've not seen a single Ukrainian video of drones from a swathe of the conflict line since 1st June. I suspect RuAF electronic jamming has felled them.

— Matthew Gordon-Banks (@mwgbanks) August 4, 2023

The roots of such claims can be traced back to 2022 when short video clips began circulating on social media platforms. These clips were purportedly showcasing actual combat footage from the conflict in Ukraine. However, a deeper dive into the authenticity of these videos revealed that many were, in fact, extracted from video games.

One particular instance from May 28, 2022, was shared widely on Twitter. The tweet, which can be found at this link, claimed:

“Nato sent their jet fighters & Helicopters to help Ukraine. As soon as they entered the border, they were attacked by the Russian missiles. Not a single one escaped. Only the Chinese media reported that news.”

Upon investigation, it was determined that the footage was not genuine combat footage but rather from a military combat simulation game called ArmA 3. These simulations, often shared by players on platforms like YouTube, are sometimes misappropriated for propagandistic purposes. For reference, the original video from which the tweeted footage was extracted can be viewed on YouTube, uploaded by the account Tactical Sim, available here.

An expert, wishing to remain anonymous, told us:

“One must ask oneself about the thoroughness and authenticity of the research upon which he’s basing these statements. His assertion concerning missiles being launched from Romania, for instance, finds no support from independent international observers or defence specialists. It’s a far cry from NATO’s consistently defensive stance in Eastern Europe.”

When I contacted Gordon-Banks about the claim, he said:

“Currently, currently, what I have said is not being publicly acknowledged by either the US or Russia. The US, has concerns about Polish & Lithuanian pressure. Russia wishes to avoid further domestic and military pressure to increase the tempo of its military action.

My comments about British direct ‘on the ground & air’ involvement in Ukraine, authorised in a manner where Parliament cannot have oversight, even if it was sitting, is unassailable. The Journal is at its best when highlighting Defence Equipment & training. 

Are you going to tell your Followers that hundreds of British service and other personnel and other NATO personnel are not directly involved ‘other ground/air’ in the conflict in Ukraine? Of course you are not. End.”

Invulnerable Russian Missiles

The former MP propagated myths about invulnerable Russian missiles and stated that “the Russian offensive awaits” over a year after the invasion. No evidence supports this statement.

2/2 Russia has missiles the West cannot shoot down. Some Western equipment has failed. The West has run out of ammo. NATO is largely political: most european members would roll over if the Russians invaded, so just as well Ru does not wish to do so.
The Russian offensive awaits.

— Matthew Gordon-Banks (@mwgbanks) July 14, 2023

The origin for this claim is the perception of Russian technological dominance in missile technology, particularly their hypersonic weaponry, has been a cause for concern in various circles. However, real-world incidents cast doubt on these perceptions.

On 4 May 2023, Ukraine employed a U.S.-supplied Patriot battery to intercept a Russian Kinzhal missile. This weapon was championed by Russian President Vladimir Putin as a hypersonic marvel that could bypass any existing air defence systems, a claim still repeated today. In the wake of this event, Russia’s state news agency tried to refute the report, suggesting the shootdown was a fabrication.

Yet, merely 12 days on, Ukraine successfully intercepted six additional Kinzhals during an assault on Kyiv. These occurrences, confirmed by U.S. government sources, prompt significant questions about these so-called advanced missile systems’ true capabilities.

Another fallacy surrounding hypersonic weapons is their perceived invincibility. While it’s accurate that they can are more challenging targets for current missile defence systems, they aren’t unbeatable.. Existing defence mechanisms, like the U.S. Aegis sea-based terminal defence system, already showcase capabilities to challenge hypersonics.

Our expert said “The idea of ‘invulnerable’ Russian missiles is a bold claim but not accurate. There’s no missile technology today that is entirely immune to countermeasures, jamming, or interception. To suggest otherwise might be an endeavour to exaggerate capabilities—a strategy more in line with psychological warfare than genuine assessment.”

Secret American Bio-labs

Another assertion made was in reference to ‘secret bio-labs’, However, no evidence supports this claim. To justify Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Gordon-Banks claimed the attack focused on secret U.S. Biolabs. No evidence supports this statement.

Yep, they know the Chemical Labs have/will be found. Illegal in US of course. https://t.co/Ij3TfnnZ61

— Matthew Gordon-Banks (@mwgbanks) March 15, 2022

This from an official US Govt Agency.
I recall the many who say there was no provocation at all by the US & NATO towards Russia post the coup in 2014. I do Not condone the war but the bio-labs is a yet another example of ramping up pressure.
Only a diplomatic solution will work!

— Matthew Gordon-Banks (@mwgbanks) February 1, 2023

And another.

Yep, they know the Chemical Labs have/will be found. Illegal in US of course. https://t.co/Ij3TfnnZ61

— Matthew Gordon-Banks (@mwgbanks) March 15, 2022

The claim surrounding U.S. biolabs in Ukraine has been in circulation long before the recent geopolitical developments. From early 2018, Russian propagandists have been pushing this narrative, trying to lend credence to the idea that the U.S. operates secret biolabs in the region. By February 2022, with Russia’s aggression in Ukraine escalating, this narrative took on a more pronounced role. The hashtag #USBiolabs started trending on Twitter, giving voice to this piece of disinformation and asserting that Russia’s actions were in response to these supposed biolabs.

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) refuted these allegations back in May 2020, stressing that no foreign military biological labs operate within the country. Such assertions were deemed as “deliberate distortions of the facts.”

Adding to the confusion, a Twitter post from @WarClandestine in February 2022 made a comparative analysis of two maps – one displaying the sites of Russia’s missile attacks and another showcasing the alleged locations of U.S. biolabs in Ukraine. However, a closer inspection of these maps revealed several discrepancies. The missile map depicted several sites which didn’t align with the so-called biolab locations, while the biolab map had locations that weren’t in line with missile strikes. Furthermore, the act of superimposing maps is a time-old technique to exaggerate connections, often used to propel conspiracy theories.

Tracing back the roots of this theory reveals that while there exists a tenuous link between the U.S. and Ukrainian biolabs, it’s far from the picture that propagandists paint. The Ministry of Health of Ukraine and the U.S. Department of Defense did indeed sign an agreement in 2005. But rather than being a clandestine operation, this agreement’s objective was to “curtail the threat of bio-terrorism” by safeguarding pathogens left behind from the Soviet-era biological weapons initiative. While the U.S. did provide some funding to modernise biolabs in Ukraine, the operation and governance of these labs lie squarely under Ukrainian jurisdiction, adhering to Ukrainian laws.

The Kyiv Post also reported that various state laboratories in areas such as Odesa, Kharkiv, and Kyiv were modernised under this agreement, but they are fully funded by the state and remain under the purview of the Ministry of Health. Importantly, no evidence indicates that these labs were “installed” by the U.S. military or operated by U.S. forces.

The assertion that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was driven by the existence of covert U.S. biolabs is misleading and unfounded. While there’s a collaborative effort between Ukraine and the U.S. dating back to 2005 to counter bio-terrorism threats, the labs in question are Ukrainian-operated and adhere to national regulations. Such claims, without credible evidence, seem to be an extension of a prolonged disinformation campaign, potentially aiming to justify or obfuscate the true motives behind geopolitical actions.

Ukraine’s Population being cut in half

Gordon-Banks has repeatedly suggested that the population of Ukraine had fallen by around 50%. This assertion lacks any supporting evidence. Gordon-Banks often makes repeated statements about a significant population drop in Ukraine without concrete evidence. This trend suggests he’s either uninformed or possibly drawing from biased sources.

It is not just a question of Ukraine running out of ammunition, which the West cannot produce & re-supply, but UA's population has almost halved & with horrendous losses, the country is running out of soldiers to fight.
THIS may be UA's strongest moment to negotiate before…

— Matthew Gordon-Banks (@mwgbanks) July 4, 2023

Gordon-Banks’ numbers fluctuate when he makes these claims. At various times, he mentions the population dropping from 35 million to 20 million, from 37 million to 20 million, and from 37 million to 19 million. Such inconsistencies cast doubt on his sources’ reliability.

He also frequently cites nebulous authority figures such as “well placed Americans” or a singular “US Official” to substantiate his claims. Such vague references, without detailed credentials or specifics, don’t offer much weight to his assertions. Further, the change in references (from one authority figure to another) raises more eyebrows. After probing some more for the source of the claims, banks seemed to cite Douglas Macgregor as the origin for his claims. However, it should be noted that Macgregor doesn’t make the same drastic estimates that Gordon-Banks does.

1/2 It's a pretty accurate tweet!
Since UA became an 'independent' country UN figs, backed up by every western source I quoted show the pop of UA has MORE than halved. Down14m since '22
I saw this below a few mins ago from ex WH Def Advr Col Doug McGregor. He says 18million!/ pic.twitter.com/A6neRVrhqp

— Matthew Gordon-Banks (@mwgbanks) August 12, 2023

So, it would appear that this is the “U.S. official” Matthew was referring to. Macgregor’s stance on the Ukrainian situation has been contentious, however. Some of his predictions concerning the Ukraine-Russia conflict have been found to be inaccurate, with even some of his colleagues at Fox News challenging his views.

Gordon-Banks’ decision to cite Macgregor as a source for population figures is tenuous since Macgregor appears not to have made the same specific claim about the population. This misattribution further diminishes Gordon-Banks’ credibility on this topic.

Macgregor’s views, which paint Ukrainian action in a negative light and hint at Russia’s actions being overly restrained, have been selectively aired by Russian state television channels. This selective representation raises questions about whether Macgregor’s perspectives are being used for propaganda purposes.

Gordon-Banks also suggested that The Washington Post, supported his claim that the population in Ukraine has fallen by 50% or more since the war started. They do not. It’s important to note that while errors in communication can happen, attributions to renowned publications should always be accurate and verifiable.

The claims made by Matthew Gordon-Banks, given the lack of consistent evidence and reliance on disputed figures, seem to lean more towards speculation or bias than factual reporting. While the reasons behind his assertions remain an enigma, it emphatically demonstrates the importance of verifying information before dissemination, especially for public figures.

In the course of my role as the Editor of the UK Defence Journal, I’ve found that the pursuit of truth sometimes comes with unexpected challenges. Recently, while investigating claims made by former MP, Matthew Gordon-Banks, I’ve faced a series of aggressive responses that shed light on the broader issues journalists sometimes grapple with.

The Threats

My online interactions with Gordon-Banks over the last year or so when investigating and asking for clarification on Twitter surrounding this topic have repeatedly seemed to have caught the anger of Gordon-Banks. One response was startlingly direct: “George Allison, I will deal with you both personally and physically when I am ready… Now shove your head in the dog’s box & be quiet.”

Adding to the unease, more recently, when discussing this threat, Gordon-Banks dropped a hint about coming to Cambuslang, where I reside, saying he was travelling to Glasgow Airport and then remarking, “Oh, I’m on my way to Cambuslang as we type”, he also made mention on another tweet of bringing “others” to the area, although it is unclear if this was related. He did not arrive.

Being on the receiving end of such threats, particularly in the context of my journalistic work, is a sobering experience, and it’s happened before. Trying to ascertain the distinction between genuine information and misinformation (accidental or intentional) is increasingly crucial. But navigating this landscape, as this situation has shown, isn’t always straightforward.

As the Editor of the UK Defence Journal, I’ve always aimed to keep our readers informed with accurate and unbiased content. My recent deep dive into the statements of Mr. Gordon-Banks was in line with this commitment. It’s disheartening to encounter threats in response to genuine journalistic inquiries. It’s a stark reminder of the real-world implications our online interactions can have. Regardless, I remain committed to objective reporting, undeterred by these challenges.

Upon highlighting the concerns stemming from his tweets and once more asking for a comment to try and make sense of his actions, Gordon-Banks’ retorted that I was “seeking abuse”. His motivations and the implications of this remark are up for interpretation.

When prompted further for clarity on his initial remarks, he responded cryptically:

“1. Zero to defence. 2. You have a massive abuse.”

I’m still trying to make sense of this tweet, especially after he ‘liked it’ himself after posting it.

Most Followers know you are seeking abuse!

— Matthew Gordon-Banks (@mwgbanks) August 14, 2023

An expert on the spread of narratives online, again wishing to remain anonymous, told me:

“What strikes me most is the striking resemblance between many of Mr. Gordon-Banks’ claims and the rhetoric often disseminated by particular Russian military bloggers. This leads to a pressing question: Is Mr. Gordon-Banks merely parroting these sources without proper scrutiny? From a former Member of Parliament, one would anticipate a more rigorous approach to such grave matters, ensuring that claims are both accurate and impartial. The regurgitation of unchecked claims, which seem to mirror a specific narrative, accentuates the value of rigorous, independent research.”

Closing Analysis: Deciphering Gordon-Banks’ Narratives

Our investigation into the claims made by former MP Matthew Gordon-Banks regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine has revealed several contentious points. He asserted that attacks are being launched from NATO member Romania against Russia, that Russian missiles are beyond counteraction, that clandestine U.S. bio-laboratories in Ukraine validate Russia’s aggression, and he also presented an uncorroborated statistic suggesting a staggering 50% decline in Ukraine’s populace since the conflict started.

These statements, however, have been methodically discredited by authoritative sources and seasoned analysts. Moreover, the evidence Gordon-Banks frequently cites often contradicts or fails to validate his pronouncements, which gravely undermines their credibility.

As we look into the reasons behind Gordon-Banks’ claims, several factors come to light. His digital interactions highlight his strong beliefs, and a discernible pattern emerges wherein many of his views, in my opinion, seem to be simply echoed from accounts he frequently interacts with on Twitter. Some of these views distinctly align with narratives propagated by specific Russian military bloggers.

However, it’s worth noting that correlations do not necessarily imply causation. As our investigation concludes, while the origin and drive behind his assertions are not entirely clear, it underscores the importance of critically assessing information, particularly when presented by influential figures.