Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Iranian Regime: Threat to UK

Monday 6 February 2023 · 6 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 6 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The director general of MI5 stated that since January 2022, there have been at least 10 Iranian threats to kidnap or kill UK-based individuals.
  • The UK Government are reviewing various areas regarding sanctions against the IRGC beyond the current 50 sanctioned individuals.
  • The Government are considering proscribing the IRGC in its entirety and taking further action to address the threat.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Virendra Sharma Lab
Foreign Affairs
Context

The Iranian regime's potential threats to UK-based individuals have been reported since January 2022.

Question

What recent assessment has the Department made of the level of threat posed by the Iranian regime to people in the UK?

Answer from Thomas Tugendhat

The director general of MI5 recently outlined that, since January 2022, there have been at least 10 Iranian threats to kidnap or even kill UK-based individuals. The level of the Iranian threat is kept under constant review.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions and commitments beyond 'under review'

How: Under Review

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Q2 Virendra Sharma Lab
Foreign Affairs
Context

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps' presence in the UK and their ability to travel freely and store wealth without sanctions.

Question

Why do we not stop their abusers stealing the wealth of the country and sanction more than just 50 people at the top of the organisation?

Answer from Thomas Tugendhat

The hon. Member is absolutely correct: the IRGC is a vicious organisation and its first victims are the Iranian people, who have been brutalised and murdered by that despotic regime for far too long. The UK Government are taking actions in looking into various areas.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific sanctions beyond 'under review'

How: Under Review

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Q3 Theresa Villiers Con
Community Security Religion & Faith
Context

The Islamic centre in Maida Vale is a voice of the supreme leader and has charitable status.

Question

Will they please shut down the Islamic centre in Maida Vale, which is the voice of the supreme leader in this country? It should not have charitable status and should be shut down.

Answer from Thomas Tugendhat

My right hon. Friend has raised an extremely important issue, of which I am acutely aware and which has not gone without notice.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to shutting down the Islamic centre in Maida Vale

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Q4 John Cryer Lab
Foreign Affairs
Context

The Minister seemed to suggest that proscribing the IRGC is under consideration.

Question

Is it true that we are considering proscribing the IRGC?

Answer from Thomas Tugendhat

The Government always keep all areas under review, and speculation has certainly been in that direction. Further action will be announced as soon as it is ready.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment to proscribing the IRGC

How: Under Review

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Q5 Bob Blackman Con Harrow East
Context

The threat from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps to UK citizens and journalists.

Question

Will my right hon. Friend now take the obvious step, which is supported by all political parties in the Chamber, and proscribe the IRGC in its entirety?

Answer from Thomas Tugendhat

My hon. Friend will know that it is not me he has to persuade in this matter and that there are many areas where I would like to go. The Government are absolutely listening to exactly what he is saying.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment to proscribe the IRGC entirely

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Q6 Holly Lynch Lab
Foreign Affairs
Context

The Iranian regime's threats to UK citizens and journalists, compared to Russia's.

Question

Will the Government go further and be clear? Will they proscribe the IRGC using either existing terror laws or new state threat variations to drive out this threat and keep people safe?

Answer from Thomas Tugendhat

The hon. Lady knows very well that the Government have already sanctioned many individuals inside the Iranian regime and have taken action on individuals who may have had access around Europe and indeed into the United Kingdom.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment to proscribe the IRGC and take further actions against Iran

How: Under Review

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