Political Parties: Donations from Abroad

Debate between Lord Khan of Burnley and Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee

Wednesday 22nd January 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Khan of Burnley]

My Lords, I am sure the noble Lord will understand that I cannot comment on individual cases. I agree with him that political parties registered in Northern Ireland can accept donations from Irish sources, such as Irish companies that meet the conditions. Allowing Irish donations to the Northern Ireland parties recognises the special place of Ireland in the political life and culture of Northern Ireland and is consistent with the principles set out in the Belfast/Good Friday agreement. However, Irish donations are subject to the same scrutiny by the Electoral Commission as donations from any other permissible donor.

[Baroness Foster of Aghadrumsee (Non-Afl)]

My Lords, last Wednesday, in response to the noble Lord, Lord Blunkett, the noble Baroness, Lady Taylor of Stevenage, said:

“Government take the threat posed by disinformation and foreign actors interfering in our democratic processes very seriously”.—[Official Report, 15/1/25; col. 1123.]


We have already heard from the noble Lord, Lord Rogan, about the amount of money which comes from America into Sinn Féin’s coffers, but that is not the only issue. Its social media accounts are run by a company in Serbia. Will the Minister look at that as well?

[Lord Khan of Burnley]

The noble Baroness makes an interesting point. My direct answer would be that we continue to work with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and the Defending Democracy Taskforce to mitigate the risk that disinformation and misinformation and AI-driven election interference pose to the UK’s democratic processes. On social media, there are already robust donations and third-party campaigner spending rules in place. The Government remain alert to any technological or other relevant changes in the electoral campaign landscape.