Iran: Threats to British Interests Debate
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Andrew Murrison
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Iran: Threats to British Interests
Andrew Murrison Excerpts(1 day, 11 hours ago)
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Stephen Doughty
My hon. Friend is absolutely right to highlight those threats. I co-operate very closely with the Security Minister and others on these matters. I referenced the number of plots that MI5 had identified. Of course, those threats continue, and we have seen some very high-profile examples, which the Prime Minister and others have referred to. My hon. Friend can absolutely be assured that we are putting in place the necessary protective security arrangements, including with faith communities, and particularly the Jewish community, and that we are very aware of where threats are originating from. That is the nature of the response that we have conveyed directly to the Iranian regime.
Dr Andrew Murrison (South West Wiltshire) (Con)
The regime is using every opportunity to reach deep into our communities and society. Even charities in this country are at risk. The Charity Commission has embarked on an investigation into the extent to which the regime, particularly the IRGC, is percolating into the sector. What assessment has the Minister made of whether Iran has got itself involved in British charities? If he believes that it has, how will he expunge that particular malignancy?
Stephen Doughty
The right hon. Gentleman raises the important wider issue of Iran and other hostile states attempting to undermine or use mechanisms in the UK to conduct their activities. I welcome the work that the Charity Commission is doing. We will look very seriously at any findings that come out of that investigation. Crucially, this is a matter for the Security Minister and our agencies to look at. We take any threats or activity of that nature incredibly seriously, and we will not hesitate to act.