Peers Call on Minister to Shut ‘Secret Institution’ That Monitored Lockdown Critics

COVID-19 messaging is seen on the advertising hoarding at Piccadilly Circus during the UK's third national lockdown, in London, on Feb. 3, 2021. Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Britain’s intellectual property minister has faced calls to shut down a “secret institution” accused of spying on lockdown critics, politicians, and journalists.

Viscount Camrose was forced to defend the government’s controversial Counter Disinformation Unit (CDU), claiming most of its work focused on hostile state threats to the UK.