Hostile nations pose ‘real risk’ to UK security as MPs warn of reforms needed to prevent ‘next big parliamentary scandal’ | Political news
Hostile nations pose a “real risk” to Britain’s security and, without significant reforms, “the next big parliamentary scandal” could soon follow, a cross-party committee warned. newspaper.
All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) can easily be exploited for “inappropriate access and influence by hostile foreign actors”, evidence for the Commons Standards Committee shows.
The large increase in the number of informal interest groups is at risk of “inappropriate influence and access” because they are difficult to monitor.
The Speaker of the Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, warned by separate evidence to the committee of “very, very disturbing” security implications without urgent changes to the way APPG operates.
The report’s warning comes after a woman was “instrumental” in setting up China’s APPG in the UK. was revealed by MI5 to be a spy of the Chinese government.
Labor MP Barry Gardiner, the former chairman of the now-disbanded group, received more than £500,000 in donations from Christine Lee before the warning was issued in January.
The Committee concluded: “We are concerned that if left unchecked, APPGs could represent the next major parliamentary scandal, with commercial entities buying MPs’ access and influence. and effective decision-makers.”
The committee said authorities should “provide more substantial support” to help MPs scrutinize the benefits foreign governments offer.
Funding needs to be more transparent and the number of APPGs needs to be reduced from the current 744, they added.
They also offer advice on enforcing regulations and limiting the number of secretaries of groups to “reduce the risk of improper access”.
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Labor MP Chris Bryant, chair of the Standards Committee, said APPG “should never be a backdoor vehicle for peddling influence around corridors of power or pursuing commercial interests”.
“Today’s report is a wake-up call for all of us,” he said.
“Parliament has always been and will always be the target of hostile foreign countries.
“But with better regulation and transparency around these informal groups, we can ensure they continue to make a positive contribution to our democracy.”
Sir Lindsay said he had been concerned for “several years” about the “security risk posed by some APPGs as they engage indiscriminately with state organizations hostile to UK interests”.
He added: “I am also concerned about the proliferation of such groups, the influence lobbyists have on them, and the lack of transparency and regulation of their activities.
“I am told the proposals are currently being consulted and will ultimately be a matter for the House of Commons to make the final decision on how to better regulate.”
