MPs press Starmer to proscribe Iran’s Revolutionary Guard
About 45 MPs and peers from all parties have signed a letter calling for the government to move away from sanctions and impose a ban on the IRGC
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Keir Starmer has been told to proscribe Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) amid claims that “ineffective” sanctions levelled against the organisation are “riddled with loopholes”.
A cross-party group of more than 40 MPs, peers and other public figures has written to the prime minister to call for the Iranian state linked IRGC to now be branded a terrorist entity.
The letter was organised by the Henry Jackson Society, which cited the fact that “since January 2022, there have been 20 credible threats against British citizens and UK-based individuals, all linked to Iran and the IRGC”.
The group also noted the IRGC’s support for Iran’s proxy groups Hamas and Hezbollah, which are already proscribed in the UK.
“Beyond its activities in the Middle East, the IRGC has been implicated in cyber-attacks, assassination plots, and covert operations targeting dissidents and civilians in Europe and North America,” they say.
“Since January 2022, there have been 20 credible threats against British citizens and UK-based individuals, all linked to Iran and the IRGC.
“By proscribing the IRGC, not only would its resources be subject to seizure, but public support for the group would be criminalised. This step is especially critical as public displays glorifying dangerous organisations have increasingly surfaced on the streets of London in recent months.”
Labour MPs and peers were among the signatories, as is Sir Richard Dearlove, former head of MI6.
Luke Akehurst, Labour MP for North Durham, said: “I have signed the call for the IRGC to be proscribed as they are a significant terror threat to UK interests and allies in the Middle East … potentially even here in the UK.
“Proscribing the IRGC is something Labour called for in opposition. I want to see action on this now that we are in government.”Other Labour signatories include Dame Siobhain McDonagh, the veteran MP, and Damien Egan, a newly elected MP.
Signatories also include shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick, former Conservative Party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith.
During their 14 years in government that Tory leadership resisted calls to proscribe the IRGC.
Some in the Foreign Office argue that it would be wise to keep some channels of diplomatic dialogue with Iran open.
Labour is believed to be looking at bringing in legislation around the proscription of state actors such as the IRGC, with experts pointing at it is far more difficult under current laws to effectively proscribe an organisation that differs from terror groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.
In the party manifesto head of the July election it stated:”Labour will take the approach used for dealing with non-state terrorism and adapt it to deal with state-based domestic security threats.”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
