Tackling foreign influencers
It is crucial to protect the UK against foreign influence and interference in our politics.
Below is our assessment of the government's response based on what was written in its July 2020 document. We will reassess how this in the light of how well the intended response has been implemented in July 202.
The grid gives our evaluation with a score. Below is the relevant text from the report and the response.
The grid gives our evaluation with a score. Below is the relevant text from the report and the response.
House of Lords Code of Conduct
Report Recommendations
“[Paragraph 54] Several members of the Russian elite who are closely linked to Putin are identified as being involved with charitable and/or political organisations in the UK, having donated to political parties, with a public profile which positions them to assist Russian influence operations.
It is notable that a number of Members of the House of Lords have business interests linked to Russia or work directly for major Russian companies linked to the Russian state – these relationships should be carefully scrutinised, given the potential for the Russian state to exploit them. It is important that the Code of Conduct for Members of the House of Lords, and the Registry of Lords’ interests, including financial interests, provide the necessary transparency and are enforced.
In this respect, we note that the Code of Conduct for Members of Parliament requires that MPs register individual payments of more than £100 which they receive for any employment outside the House – this does not apply to the House of Lords, and consideration should be given to introducing such a requirement.”
It is notable that a number of Members of the House of Lords have business interests linked to Russia or work directly for major Russian companies linked to the Russian state – these relationships should be carefully scrutinised, given the potential for the Russian state to exploit them. It is important that the Code of Conduct for Members of the House of Lords, and the Registry of Lords’ interests, including financial interests, provide the necessary transparency and are enforced.
In this respect, we note that the Code of Conduct for Members of Parliament requires that MPs register individual payments of more than £100 which they receive for any employment outside the House – this does not apply to the House of Lords, and consideration should be given to introducing such a requirement.”
Government Response
“The Government agrees that the transparency of information about political donations is important. The rules on registration and declaration of donations received by Members of the House of Lords are set out in the Code of Conduct for Members of the House of Lords and the Guide to the Code, which also incorporates the rules surrounding bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct.
The Code is the responsibility of the House itself. It is kept under regular review by the Conduct Committee; a committee made up of 5 Members of the House of Lords and 4 lay members. The Government is confident that the Conduct Committee with give due consideration to the recommendations.”
The Code is the responsibility of the House itself. It is kept under regular review by the Conduct Committee; a committee made up of 5 Members of the House of Lords and 4 lay members. The Government is confident that the Conduct Committee with give due consideration to the recommendations.”
Assessment of Progress
Implemented, though only annual notification. No publication of these declarations yet.
9/10 – L
New Official Secrets Act and FARA
Report Recommendations
“[Paragraph 117] We recognise the need to get legislation right. Nevertheless, it is very clear that the Official Secrets Act regime is not fit for purpose and the longer this goes unrectified, the longer the security and intelligence community’s hands are tied. It is essential that there is a clear commitment to bring forward new legislation to replace it (and a timetable within which it will be introduced) that can be used by MI5 to defend the UK against agents of a hostile foreign power such as Russia.”
Government Response
“The Government is grateful for the Committee’s recommendations on legislation to counter hostile activity by foreign states. The Government committed in the December 2019 Queen’s Speech to introduce legislation to provide the security services and law enforcement agencies with the tools they need to disrupt this hostile activity. The Home Office leads on this and is considering several measures for introduction via new primary legislation to make the UK a harder environment for adversaries to operate in.
The Law Commission is currently reviewing the Official Secrets Acts (OSAs) as part of their report on the Protection of Official Data. The OSAs are the only pieces of UK legislation that currently exist to specifically address hostile activity by foreign states, other than the ports stop power the Government introduced in the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019. The Government will carefully consider the recommendations for reform post publication.
In terms of Foreign Agent Registration, the Home Office is considering like-minded international partners’ legislation as part of its ongoing work on new legislative proposals to identify the benefits for adopting a similar approach in the UK.
The Committee will be kept up to date on the Government’s proposals for new legislation to counter hostile activity by foreign states.”
The Law Commission is currently reviewing the Official Secrets Acts (OSAs) as part of their report on the Protection of Official Data. The OSAs are the only pieces of UK legislation that currently exist to specifically address hostile activity by foreign states, other than the ports stop power the Government introduced in the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act 2019. The Government will carefully consider the recommendations for reform post publication.
In terms of Foreign Agent Registration, the Home Office is considering like-minded international partners’ legislation as part of its ongoing work on new legislative proposals to identify the benefits for adopting a similar approach in the UK.
The Committee will be kept up to date on the Government’s proposals for new legislation to counter hostile activity by foreign states.”
Assessment of Progress
Various aspects being considered but no commitment or timetable.
2/10 – H
Fighting Foreign Interference
We are interested in the government’s actions to prevent foreign influencers in UK politics.