National Security Act 2023 (Designated Bodies) Regulations 2026

Lord Marks of Henley-on-Thames Excerpts

Thursday 16th July 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Marks of Henley-on-Thames (LD)]

My Lords, we on these Benches fully support these designations. We consistently supported the proscription of the IRGC throughout the passage of the Crime and Policing Act, to which the Minister has referred. It had been our party policy for some years, as it had been the policy of the Labour Party before the last general election. Nevertheless, the Government preferred to pursue the course, as recommended by Jonathan Hall KC, of passing the National Security (State Threats) Act. We passed fast-track legislation through this Parliament extremely quickly, not without amendment but with careful, though fast, consideration. We are now improving it in a number of ways, with an eye to promised security legislation in the future. We on these Benches regarded the Act, and the amendments negotiated to it when it was before the House, as a good example of what can be achieved by cross-party co-operation.

As the noble Lord explained, these designations respond to no fewer than seven attacks publicly claimed by the IMCR—the Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right, also known as Harakat—which is one of the bodies designated under these regulations. These were attacks within the United Kingdom that were linked to Jewish and Israeli communities. They included setting fire to the four Hatzola ambulances in Golders Green on 23 March, and attacks on some Persian language media and their journalists. The designation of the IRGC also fulfils the promise made to the Jewish community by the Prime Minister in April when he visited Kenton United Synagogue following the appalling arson attack there. That promise was that action would be taken this July to legislate for powers akin to proscription to outlaw foreign state actors and respond to threats posed by the IRGC. This designation amply responds to and fulfils that promise.

This designation of the IRGC by the United Kingdom follows the designation of the IRGC by the European Union in February this year in the aftermath of the violent repression of unarmed protesters in Iran over the turn of the year, which saw mass arrests, executions, internet shutdowns and the open use of lethal force against many thousands of demonstrators, as well as more international activity.

The designation of the Russian Federation Volunteer Corps directorate recognises the threat that the Government have concluded is posed to the United Kingdom’s national security by the Russian state and security apparatus, of which this body is part, as the Minister has explained.

We are entirely clear that the Government are rightly satisfied that these three bodies have met the requirements set out in the Act for designation and, for that reason, we fully support these designations.