London: New measures to protect the UK from covert foreign influence came into effect on 1 July, strengthening national security, the Home Office announced Tuesday.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the specifications of the scheme will require the registration of any activities carried out in the UK at the direction of any part of the Russian or Iranian states. This explicitly includes their intelligence services, such as the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS), the Federal Security Service, and the Russian chief intelligence directorate (GRU), as well as both countries' armed forces.
The scheme also introduces a new layer of accountability around political influencing activity, shedding light on attempts by overseas powers to shape UK democratic processes.
Security Minister Dan Jarvis stated, "We welcome legitimate engagement with all countries, but we will not tolerate covert attempts to manipulate our political system or society." He added, "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."
To ensure the scheme is proportionate, the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS) includes exemptions. These exemptions apply to recognised news publishers, legal professionals acting during legal proceedings or providing legal advice, diplomats and their families, and arrangements involving the UK government, as noted by the Home Office.