MPs reject Lords push for terror review of Iranian groups

MPs have rejected a Lords push for a mandatory review of whether any Iranian-related entities should be designated terrorist groups.

The upper chamber last week voted to compel the Government to conduct such a review within a month of the Crime and Policing Bill becoming law, and to publish the outcome.

It comes amid increasing pressure for ministers to proscribe the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), an Iranian military group, as a terrorist organisation.

In opposition, Labour called for proscription, but has not done so since coming into office.

Meanwhile, the Conservatives never made the designation, but are now calling for it.

Shadow Home Office minister Matt Vickers said: “There is simply no suitable argument as to why the Government should now refuse to proscribe the IRGC and associated organisations.

“I’m sure the Home Secretary and ministers would once again attempt to point to the fact that the previous Government did not proscribe the IRGC as justification for inaction.

“The reality is that the international situation is now radically different from when we left office almost two years ago.

“Even before the current conflict began, it was clear that the IRGC was ramping up aggressive activity.

“It oversaw the deaths of over 40,000 protesters.

“And overseas, it’s continued to extend its influence through the backing of terrorist cells.

“In 2025 alone, security services tracked more than 20 potentially lethal Iran-backed the plots.

“The IRGC is a dangerous and lethal organisation.”

He added: “When such evilness and such vileness is on display, we need to act, and we need to act in our national interest to protect our people from some of the horrors that we’ve seen abroad by these sick individuals.”

Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Max Wilkinson said: “There is increasing concern that attacks on our Jewish community are being funded by the IRGC.

“It is beyond time that the Government took action to protect British citizens against the threat they represent.”

Responding, Home Office minister Sarah Jones said: “It is disappointing to say the least that the Opposition seek to return to this issue yet again.

“Successive governments have adopted the position that it would be wrong in principle to give a running commentary on which organisations are being considered for proscription under Section 3 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

“The decision to proscribe an organisation is a serious matter, requiring careful analysis of whether the test in Section 3 has been met.

“To suggest, as the amendment provides, that the Government should review every organisation related to the Iranian government within one month of royal assent, is simply not a serious proposition.”

On Monday, MPs rejected by 292 to 158, majority 134, a Lords bid to force the Government to conduct this review within one month of the Crime and Policing Bill becoming law.

The Commons also voted against a Lords amendment that aims to empower relevant authorities to seize vehicles involved in the illegal dumping of rubbish.

Shadow Home Office minister Matt Vickers said: “Over a million fly-tipping incidents are recorded each year, yet only a tiny fraction results in any meaningful enforcement.

“One of the most effective tools in our armoury, vehicle seizure, is vanishingly rare.

“So when government ministers stand and tell us that powers already exist, the obvious question is: if they exist, why are they not being used?

“The answer is simple, because a power that is fragmented, unclear and buried across multiple statutes is not a power that works in practice.”

The minister said: “Local authorities already have powers to seize vehicles if they have reason to believe the vehicle is being used or is about to be used to commit a fly-tipping offence.”

She added that the amendment “seeks to close a gap in that law that in practice just doesn’t exist”.

MPs rejected by 294 votes to 156, majority 138, the provision on the seizure of vehicles involved in fly-tipping.

The Commons also voted against a Lords amendment to ban enforcement companies issuing fixed penalty notices on behalf of councils from making a profit.

Mr Wilkinson said: “A clear ban would remove an incentive which drives lower level offences to be punished instead of more serious anti-social behaviour.”

However, Ms Jones said she “recognises the concerns” about private firms having a financial incentive to issue fixed penalty notices, and that the Government will ensure there is a duty to issue guidance that addresses “the proportionate issuing of fixed penalty notices”.

MPs rejected the amendment by 293 votes to 159, majority 134.

Elsewhere, the Commons voted against a Lords amendment seeking to ensure that, when considering a youth diversion order, courts are given full account of any alternative interventions that have been tried or considered and what consultation took place with the child and other relevant agencies.

Mr Wilkinson said: “This amendment will result in better outcomes for the young people involved, who might otherwise be entangled in terrorist activity.”

The minister said that statutory guidance will be developed, which will include content on alternative interventions which police may wish to consider instead of or alongside a youth diversion order.

MPs rejected the Lords amendment by 294 votes to 61, majority 233.