Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what plans the Government has to ensure that the Electoral Commission has sufficient powers to ensure the security of democratic processes where hostile state threats are involved as recommended by the Intelligence and Security Committee’s report on Russia, published on 21 July 2020.

As set out in the Government’s response to the Intelligence and Security Committee’s report on Russia, we have seen no evidence of successful interference in the EU Referendum.

The Government continues to work closely with the Electoral Commission, and others, to protect the integrity, security and effectiveness of UK referendums and elections. The Electoral Commission has a wide range of investigatory and civil sanctioning powers available to it and is able to refer more serious matters to the police or the National Crime Agency.