New measures to protect the UK from covert foreign influence have come into effect today, with an 'enhanced tier' of the scheme focusing on Russia and Iran, but no mention of China.
The Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS) will bolster UK national security by requiring people and organisations to register any activities being undertaken on behalf of a foreign nation.
There are two tiers to the scheme which enable greater transparency on those trying to influence UK democratic processes, to help protect institutions from covert interference and enhance the country's ability to understand and respond to threats against its democratic integrity and national security.
The political tier requires registration of any arrangements to carry out political influence activities in the UK on behalf of a foreign power, including political communications or lobbying senior decision-makers, such as MPs and election candidates.
The second tier is the enhanced tier which specifically applies to the Russian and Iranian states in response to the 'serious threat' posed to the UK's national interests and reflects the need to ensure transparency over covert activities undertaken by the two countries.
This explicitly includes the intelligence services of Russia and Iran – such as the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS), the Federal Security Service and the GRU – as well as both countries’ armed forces.
Russia and Iran are the only foreign powers referenced in the scheme, with China missing from the list.
Security Minister Dan Jarvis said: "We welcome legitimate engagement with all countries, but we will not tolerate covert attempts to manipulate our political system or society.
"The Foreign Influence Registration Scheme gives us the tools to confront growing threats to our national security, one of the foundations of our Plan for Change, without compromising the openness that defines our democracy.
"Designating Russia and Iran under the enhanced tier is a vital step in protecting the safety and interests of the UK. This is about creating accountability and visibility so that covert influence operations have nowhere to hide, and ensuring we have the tools to detect and disrupt them."
Registration under the scheme does not mean someone is acting in an undesirable or illegitimate way, it also provides exemption for recognised news publishers, legal professionals acting during legal proceedings or providing legal advice, diplomats and their families, and arrangements involving the UK government.
