UK defences strengthened against foreign state-backed groups

New powers are now in place for the Home Secretary to crack down on groups carrying out hostile activity on behalf of foreign states.

The police and intelligence agencies are now better equipped to protect the public from individuals and groups carrying out hostile activity for foreign states, including their proxies, as new powers become law.

Receiving Royal Assent today (8 July), the landmark National Security (State Threats) Bill delivers on the government’s commitment to bring in new proscription-like powers to protect against state threats and its promise to fast track legislation after the recent wave of abhorrent antisemitic attacks.

The Home Secretary has been given new counter-terrorism style powers to target groups working at the behest of, or in the interests of, foreign states to carry out acts which threaten the UK’s security and the safety of communities across the country. This could include attacks against particular communities, targeting of dissidents on UK soil, or cyber attacks on critical national infrastructure.

Foreign state organisations and state linked groups involved in this activity can now be designated by the Home Secretary. This gives the police and intelligence agencies stronger tools and powers to disrupt and deter those working on their behalf.

If the Home Secretary judges it necessary to designate a body, she will do so without delay, as soon as is practicably possible.

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.

Sir Ken McCallum, the Director General of MI5 said: