Foreign Interference in UK Democratic Processes

Lord Pack Excerpts

Wednesday 17th June 2026 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Lord Pack]

To ask His Majesty’s Government, in light of the findings by the French agency Viginum that a foreign influence operation targeted the 2026 Scottish Parliament election, what steps they are taking to investigate and prevent foreign interference in UK democratic processes.

[The Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent) (Lab)]

We do not routinely comment on security matters. We are absolutely committed to safeguarding the UK’s elections and have well-established processes to protect democratic integrity across the country. The Government are implementing the counter political interference and espionage action plan through the Defending Democracy Taskforce to reduce foreign interference and espionage threats. The Government continue to work closely with our international partners to increase democratic resilience and counter the threat of foreign misinformation, manipulation and interference.

[Lord Pack (LD)]

Since my Question was submitted, we have had the disturbing news of the convictions of two people apparently with Russian links for arson attacks related to the Prime Minister. The very welcome recent Rycroft review’s remit, however, looked only at financial influence from overseas, so is now not the time for a broader review of foreign interference in all forms in our democracy?

[Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent (Lab)]

The noble Lord raises a genuinely important point. The responsibility of every Government is to make sure that we keep all our citizens safe. We have seen significant state-based interference, both violent and online, in our democratic space. But rest assured that the Government keep these issues under review every day.