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Question
The MP questioned if the Government would consider proscribing groups like Hizb ut-Tahrir or Hezbollah, citing examples of their activities in the UK. He emphasised that these organisations are spreading hate and asked for a clear statement on whether such actions will be taken.
Minister reply
The Minister responded affirmatively, stating that the Government takes seriously the threat from groups like Hizb ut-Tahrir and Hezbollah. He assured that they have the powers to proscribe such groups if necessary.
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Question
The MP highlighted that 75% of MI5’s terrorism caseload relates to Islamist extremism, but noted a significant drop in Prevent referrals relating to it. He asked for clarification on why this disparity exists and what the Government will do to address it.
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledged the need to focus on addressing Islamist extremism effectively. He stated that while the current Prevent caseload shows only 10% related to Islamist extremism, efforts are ongoing to ensure comprehensive measures against all forms of terrorism.
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Question
The MP expressed concern about hate-fuelled pro-Palestinian marches being used as a cover for promoting violence and intimidation against Jewish people. He urged the Government to address this issue urgently.
Minister reply
The Minister responded by emphasising the importance of addressing antisemitic attacks robustly, including through legislation and measures such as those proposed in the King’s Speech. He committed to working with Parliament on implementing necessary changes.
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Question
Vickers thanked the Minister for advanced sight of his statement and acknowledged the importance of working together across the House to make the country safer. He discussed recent antisemitic attacks, noting Jewish people are 12 times more likely to be victims of hate crime than any other group. Vickers called for robust action including surveillance powers, deportations, moratorium on pro-Palestine marches, proscribing groups like the IRGC, addressing Islamist extremism, and condemning Russia's arrest warrant for Ben Wallace.
Minister reply
Jarvis agreed to work cross-party on these matters. He acknowledged recent attacks on Jewish communities and committed to ensuring their safety with new funding. Jarvis discussed police powers to tackle unlawful protest activities, including new restrictions from the Crime and Policing Act 2026. He addressed disparities in Prevent caseloads and promised to discuss this issue with the independent Prevent commissioner. Jarvis also assured that national security would remain a priority despite co-operation with China.
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Question
Hopkins thanked the Minister for his statement on national security threats and expressed concern over recent antisemitic attacks causing anxiety in diverse communities like Luton South. She asked about continued Government work with local authorities and police forces to provide guidance, resources, and support social cohesion efforts.
Minister reply
Jarvis acknowledged Hopkins' point and emphasised the importance of partnership working with local government. He noted the defending democracy taskforce provides a fulcrum for close collaboration across Government, security services, and local authorities to tackle threats and ensure social cohesion.
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Question
Week after week, British Jews are being attacked, intimidated and persecuted. He mentioned Southport. Sir Adrian Fulford recently published his response to phase 1 of the Southport inquiry, and I met him to discuss it. It is a hugely important piece of work that he is undertaking, and he will obviously have the Government’s full support in completing it. The hon. Member referenced Jonathan Hall KC and forthcoming legislation. I made a commitment in my introductory remarks to enacting all the recommendations that Jonathan Hall made in the previous parliamentary Session.
Minister reply
I am grateful to the hon. Member for his questions. I agree with the concerns that he rightly expressed about antisemitic activity in our country. He will have heard the points that I made about protective security, but protective security is only part of our response. It is very important that we tackle the underlying causes. That is why—I hope that he will acknowledge this—there is a lot of activity in different parts of Government to attack antisemitic activity and behaviour wherever it rears its ugly head, whether in our NHS or our schools, colleges and universities. It is a real priority for the Government that we not only provide appropriate protective security but tackle the underlying causes of the abhorrent antisemitism that we have seen in recent weeks.
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Question
Given that context, I warmly welcome the Government’s announcement in the King’s Speech of fast-tracked legislation to deal with hostile state threats. Can the Minister share more details of the timetable, so that we can get that welcome and essential piece of legislation on the statute book as quickly as possible?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend has been a diligent representative of his constituency, and I know that he takes these matters incredibly seriously. I hope that he understands this Government’s commitment to tackling antisemitism. He mentioned that in his constituency he has members of the UK Hong Kong community, so let me briefly say a word about them. Any foreign state-directed crime against an individual in the UK will never be tolerated, and the attempt to intimidate and harass members of the Hong Kong community is absolutely unacceptable.
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Question
Proscription of the IRGC is long overdue, and I welcome the Government’s commitment to taking the necessary legal action to ensure that happens, but the Minister will be aware that I raised with him a year ago the fact that 13 charities based in this country have been banned in Arab countries. They are directly linked to Tehran: they take their orders from Tehran and get their funding from Tehran. Equally, there are assets across London, in both finance and property, that are directly linked to the IRGC and the theocracy in Iran.
Minister reply
I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his points, and for his acknowledgment of our intention to introduce legislation that would allow the UK Government to proscribe state-backed entities. He will know that a range of measures have already been leveraged against the IRGC, which is sanctioned in its entirety. I think it was back in November last year that I announced a range of measures to defend against the threat that we undoubtedly face from Iran.
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Question
I thank the Minister for his statement and his unequivocal support for the Jewish community. I am proud to have an Iranian community in Edinburgh South West. They are concerned about people in that community who speak out against the Iranian regime, particularly journalists, who they fear may be persecuted in the UK.
Minister reply
My hon. Friend raises an important point, and let me reiterate the Government’s position that the targeting, harassment and coercion of anybody here in the United Kingdom, including, of course, the Iranian community and journalists, is completely unacceptable. On what we are doing to counter the threat from Iran, we have now sanctioned more than 550 Iranian individuals and entities and have placed the whole of the Iranian state, including Iran’s intelligence services, the IRGC and MOIS—the Ministry of Intelligence and Security—on the enhanced tier of the foreign influence registration scheme.
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Question
I want to touch on state threats. I appreciate what the Minister said about the enhanced tier of the foreign influence registration scheme as it applies to China. Could he inform the House whether Bill Yuen and Peter Wai were registered on FIRS for their role as Chinese state employees?
Minister reply
I am grateful to the hon. Member for his continued advocacy of FIRS. It is an important operational tool. It is still relatively new—it will be a year old on 1 June—and it is the Government’s intention to bring forward an annual report to update Parliament on the progress that we are making with it. I cannot get into the specific registration of the two individuals that he has referenced, but I can tell him—I think he will know this, because he knows a lot about FIRS, but I say it for the benefit of other Members—that countries are considered separately, and decisions are made on a robust evidence base.
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Question
The MP thanked the Minister for his statement and raised concerns about Jewish communities in Southend West and Leigh who feel scared and concerned due to recent attacks, seeking advice on how these communities can access available support.
Minister reply
The Minister expressed gratitude for the hon. Friend's points and shared concern over antisemitism threats, highlighting plans to develop a victims hub and national day of reflection. He acknowledged that communication needs improvement and offered to address specific issues offline.
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Question
The MP commended the Minister's statement on tackling antisemitism and other threats, welcoming additional funding of £25 million for Jewish community protection. He inquired about full Barnett consequentials being available to help Police Scotland with its work.
Minister reply
The Minister thanked the hon. Member and confirmed discussions with the First Minister regarding collaboration. He stated he would respond to questions on Barnett consequentials via written correspondence.
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Question
The MP strongly condemned ongoing attacks against British communities, praising the Minister's leadership on security matters and inquiring about a review of the national threat level system to capture state-based actors and other countries.
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledged the need for an internal review of the national terrorism threat level due to events overtaking current arrangements. He aims to ensure public understanding while maintaining alertness without alarming the populace.
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Question
The MP welcomed the statement on tackling antisemitism and issues with the Chinese embassy, requesting more information about the tackling state threats Bill and national security measures being fast-tracked.
Minister reply
The Minister provided reassurance regarding the consolidation of the Chinese embassy's sites in London following negotiations with Chinese authorities. He committed to bringing forward legislation swiftly through Parliament.
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Question
The MP thanked the Minister for remarks on Hongkonger safety and inquired about assurances that the UK Government would properly monitor the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office to prevent misuse by Chinese authorities.
Minister reply
The Minister assured that recent summoning of the Chinese ambassador illustrated unacceptable activities. He offered personal reassurances to members of the Hongkonger community and promised further discussions with the MP.
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Question
The MP raised the case of the south Buckinghamshire Jewish community, welcoming increased funds but highlighting challenges in accessing grant funding due to meeting in different venues without a permanent building.
Minister reply
The Minister committed to reviewing and addressing specific issues brought forward by the hon. Gentleman regarding support for his constituents.
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Question
I thank the Minister for his determination in protecting UK citizens and endorsing the work of police, MI5, and MI6. I highlight concerns about Chinese overreach and threats to British nationals, especially those from Hong Kong living in my constituency who feel threatened daily by Chinese officials. Along with antisemitism issues and republican glorification of terrorism, what will the Government do to secure our national interest and safety?
Minister reply
I am grateful for Jim Shannon's contributions. The Government takes his concerns seriously and will act if necessary to add to our legislative framework and toolkit against such threats.
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Question
I agree with the Minister on the unacceptable nature of foreign states conducting shadow policing operations in the UK, especially regarding China's recent activities. Will the Foreign Secretary 'throw the book' at them?
Minister reply
The Foreign Secretary shares our concerns and will act against such unacceptable activity that undermines democracy and sovereignty.
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Question
I thank the Minister for confirming new training for police officers to understand state threats. Will this be mandatory for all roles, including PCSOs and special constables? How will it be implemented, in person or online, and what is the timeline for completion?
Minister reply
The importance of such training is recognised by all police forces; I will provide a more detailed response on the specific implementation details to Tessa Munt.