Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps could be banned in UK within days
The National Security (State Threats) Act received royal assent on Wednesday
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps could be banned in the UK within days after new powers for the Home Secretary to designate groups working on behalf of hostile states came into force.
The National Security (State Threats) Act received royal assent on Wednesday, paving the way for a ban on the IRGC, as recommended by terror laws watchdog Jonathan Hall KC.
A recent spate of antisemitic attacks on Jewish sites in London were claimed by a group called Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia, the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right (Hayi), which is thought to be backed by Iran.
The legislation gives the Home Secretary powers to make it illegal to support groups working on behalf of hostile foreign powers in the UK, including by targeting dissidents and other communities or carrying out cyber attacks on critical national infrastructure.
Supporting, assisting or getting paid by a designated group could mean a punishment of up to 14 years in prison.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “Keeping our country and communities safe is the first duty of any government. That’s why we’ve taken decisive action to deal with the growing threat posed by aggressive foreign states.
“Under these new powers, we’re going further to dismantle and deter hostile activity. This Act gives the police and intelligence agencies the tools they need to pursue foreign powers and their proxies, and better protect our communities, institutions, and democratic values.”
Hostile states including Iran, Russia and China are known to use proxies to carry out crimes on UK soil.
Sir Ken McCallum, the director-general of MI5, said: “The UK is under threat from state actors intent on doing us harm, including by using thuggish tactics like arson, sabotage and physical violence to target people and businesses and disrupt our way of life.
“Building on the important powers in the National Security Act 2023, which are already being heavily used, this legislation introduces new measures which will help us tackle the growing threat from proxy organisations, which are being increasingly used by states attempting to deniably target the UK.”
Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, head of Counter Terrorism Policing, said: “We continue to see reckless and dangerous acts carried out on the streets of the UK by hostile states and their network of proxies.
“This legislation presents more options for Counter Terrorism Policing and our partners to take action against those who want to harm our communities, our society, and our way of life.”
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