National Security Bill — After Clause 14 — Foreign interference in elections: duties on political parties — 26 Jun 2023 at 20:45

“the intention of the Government that the ISC should have oversight of substantively all of central Government’s intelligence and security activities to be realised now and in the future.”––[Official Report, Justice and Security Public Bill Committee, 31 March 2013; c. 98.]

“Enhanced due diligence and risk assessment processes would help campaigners identify foreign money, identify potential proceeds of crime, and establish a culture of ‘know your donor’ within parties-similar to the ‘know your customer’ approach, encouraged through Anti-Money Laundering regulations for the financial sector.”

“These requirements could be introduced in a way that recognises the need for proportionality, with different requirements depending on the size of a regulated entity’s financial infrastructure, or the size of a donation, to prevent the checks becoming a disproportionate burden on smaller parties and campaigners.”

“The rules that are supposed to prohibit foreign donations are riddled with loopholes which enable foreign money to be channelled to political parties and MPs through lawful donors.”

“parties and non-party campaigners should have appropriate procedures in place to determine the true source of donations. Parties and campaigners should develop a risk-based policy for managing donations, proportionate to the levels of risk to which they are exposed”.

“the current rules are insufficient to guard against foreign interference in UK elections.”

“His Majesty’s Government consider the current MoU to be sufficient to allow the ISC to discharge its statutory oversight duties of the agencies and the wider intelligence community. The MoU is subject to continuous review and His Majesty’s Government welcome the ISC proposing changes that it would like the PM to consider.”-[Official Report, House of Lords, 21 June 2023; Vol. 831, c. 245.]

“an agreeable resolution to the issue.”-[Official Report, House of Lords, 21 June 2023; Vol. 831, c. 226.]

“may be altered…with the agreement of the Prime Minister and the ISC”.

“The Prime Minister and the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament must consider whether the memorandum of understanding…should be altered (or replaced)”.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy.”

Debate in Parliament |