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Russian Influence on UK Politics and Democracy
09 February 2026
Lead MP
Ben Goldsborough
South Norfolk
Lab
Responding Minister
Dan Jarvis
Tags
Northern IrelandDemocracy & Elections
Word Count: 20279
Other Contributors: 21
At a Glance
Ben Goldsborough raised concerns about russian influence on uk politics and democracy in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The Government should consider mandating funding disclosures for UK-based think-tanks and develop digital tools to prevent cryptocurrency bribery and corruption. A single agency responsible for identifying, tracking, and defending against disinformation is needed. Investment in critical thinking education and media literacy must be prioritised to equip future generations with the skills to counteract disinformation.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The petition received 114,704 signatures, highlighting concerns over Russian interference in UK politics. The case of Nathan Gill, who took £40,000 bribes to make pro-Russian speeches and interviews, is a major cause for concern. Boris Johnson's relationship with Lord Lebedev, whose father was a KGB officer, raises questions about trustworthiness. Experts warn that Russia employs at least 500 political technologists engaged in information warfare, posing a significant threat through social media disinformation campaigns. The Electoral Commission is seen as toothless and unable to tackle the issue effectively.
Cardiff West
Confidence in democracy and politicians is at a low due to historical events such as the Salisbury poisonings. Russian interference includes money, misinformation, cyber-activity, and influence through political parties like Reform UK, exemplified by Nathan Gill's bribery case. Barros-Curtis calls for an independent investigation into Russia's links with Reform UK and full cooperation with Philip Rycroft's review. He also urges the Government to strengthen electoral rules, ban crypto donations, enhance co-operation between bodies dealing with election security, and treat disinformation as a national security threat.
Anneliese Dodds
Lab Co-op
Oxford East
The MP expressed concern over the post-shame political environment, where shame is no longer a deterrent for Kremlin-based interests. She highlighted the growing reach of Russian bots and disinformation campaigns online, emphasizing the need for stronger election regulations to address digital communications. Anneliese also discussed the threat of cyber-attacks on universities and called for measures like preparing for vexatious freedom of information requests. Additionally, she stressed the importance of public awareness about Russian-linked sabotage activities in the UK.
Ben Lake
PC
Ceredigion Preseli
The MP for Ceredigion Preseli highlighted the issue of Russian interference in Wales, citing the case of Nathan Gill who accepted £40,000 from Russia. He urged the Government to act swiftly on the review's findings to prevent further election influence and called for an examination of loopholes such as Welsh limited partnerships.
Cameron Thomas
Lib Dem
Tewkesbury
Mr Thomas highlighted the extensive influence of Russia on UK politics, citing cases such as Nathan Gill's conviction for taking Russian bribes and Arron Banks' meetings with Russian officials. He emphasised the need for a judge-led statutory public inquiry to investigate Russian interference in the UK. The hon. Member for Clacton has described George Cottrell as 'like a son' despite him being a convicted money launderer, raising suspicion about the potential connection between money laundering and cryptocurrency.
Claire Young
Lib Dem
Thornbury and Yate
Called for a thorough and independent inquiry into Russian influence in the UK, urging the Intelligence and Security Committee to launch an investigation before the next general election. Highlighted the need for transparency and action against cryptocurrency donations to political parties.
Ellie Chowns
Green
North Herefordshire
Ms Chowns expressed concern about the influence of Russia over British politics, citing the conviction of Nathan Gill for accepting Russian bribes and highlighting the partial release of the Epstein files that expose a web of crypto and far-right politics. She called for an urgent in-depth investigation into Russian interference in UK elections, especially concerning the Brexit referendum. Additionally, she criticized Palantir's contracts with the NHS and Ministry of Defence facilitated by Peter Mandelson and Global Counsel.
Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey
The Government stated that Russia remains the biggest single threat to UK national security but refused to join the security action for Europe project due to increased costs since Brexit. Mr Leadbitter questioned whether this was the result of Russian interference in Brexit.
Helena Dollimore
Lab Co-op
Hastings and Rye
The MP raised a case in Hastings where £150,000 levelling-up money was given to a Conservative donor connected to Putin's Russia. The building closed after weeks and staff were unpaid; she asked for the money back.
Jamie Stone
Lib Dem
Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
The Russian ship off the coast of Caithness caused local concern. The hon. Member argued that protections should be extended to local authorities to defend democracy at both national and regional levels. Mr Stone suggested increasing the Royal Navy presence near undersea cables as a precautionary measure against potential threats from Russia, citing comments by the Estonian ambassador on the importance of protecting these strategic assets. Jamie Stone discussed the issue of spy ships near his constituency and highlighted the lack of Royal Navy surface ships around the coast.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Jim Shannon highlighted Russia's abuse and disregard for human rights, mentioning the kidnapping of four Baptist pastors in Ukraine and the ban on those who condemn Russia from travelling there.
Joe Powell
Lab
Kensington and Bayswater
Roman Abramovich, a sanctioned Russian oligarch, still owns frozen property in Kensington and Bayswater. His legal team includes the Conservative shadow Attorney General, Lord Wolfson, raising concerns about conflicts of interest within the UK political system.
Lincoln Jopp
Con
Spelthorne
Mr. Lincoln Jopp discussed the threat of Russian activity in the UK, citing evidence from the strategic defence review and national security strategy that highlights daily attacks by Russia through espionage, cyber-attacks, and information manipulation. He mentioned the need to raise threat perception within the country and called for more investment in hard power as well as digital defences. Inquired about a loophole created by actions of the Scottish and Welsh Governments that allows unlimited political donations in Wales and Scotland, questioning if this issue would be addressed.
Luke Myer
Lab
Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland
During last year's election in Moldova, undercover reporters exposed a network of people being paid by Russia to produce disinformation content on social media platforms including TikTok and Facebook. The speaker questions the assumption that such activities are not happening in this country.
Manuela Perteghella
Lib Dem
Stratford-on-Avon
My hon. and gallant Friend is right to highlight the threat from hostile states such as Russia, emphasising that wealthy individuals with opaque international links can exert damaging influence on our democracy.
Mike Martin
Lib Dem
Tunbridge Wells
Asked the Minister when the new elections Bill will be presented and which upcoming election will benefit from its measures.
Neil Coyle
Lab
Bermondsey and Old Southwark
The hon. Member highlights the need for transparency regarding meetings with Russians and financial backers to ensure political integrity and accountability.
Nia Griffith
Lab
Llanelli
Griffith highlighted the extensive Russian interference in UK democracy, citing high petition signatories from Wales due to local incidents. She stressed concerns over internet warfare, noting that technological advancements have made it easier for Russia to use bots and algorithms to target specific audiences across social media platforms. Griffith expressed worry about the lack of effective counter-messaging strategies against such manipulative tactics and emphasised the importance of protecting LGBT+ rights as a national security priority.
Phil Brickell
Lab
Bolton West
Concerned about foreign influence on Reform UK through Russian-linked networks and individuals. Highlighted cases of Nathan Gill, Arron Banks, Christopher Harborne, George Cottrell and Fiona Watson, raising red flags over their connections to Russia and illicit finance activities. Advocated for banning cryptocurrency donations in the upcoming elections Bill. Asked whether Claire Young had submitted her thoughts to the Rycroft review which is currently underway regarding foreign interference in politics.
Richard Foord
Lib Dem
Honiton and Sidmouth
Richard Foord questioned whether amplifying threat perception was necessary for election conduct, citing the Intelligence and Security Committee's report which stated that UK elections are secure due to a paper-based voting system.
Susan Murray
Lib Dem
Mid Dunbartonshire
Ms Murray highlighted that Russia uses disinformation, cyber-attacks and money to weaken UK society and undermine trust. She mentioned a former MEP jailed for taking bribes to promote pro-Russian narratives and called for a public inquiry into the Mandelson affair and tighter co-operation with European allies.
Tom Hayes
Lab
Bournemouth East
The hon. Member agrees that Russia's financial interference in British democracy can be seen as a weapon of war, given the ongoing disinformation and sabotage efforts by Russian actors. Mr. Hayes questioned Reform's relationship with Russia, noting that Nathan Gill was jailed for disseminating Putin propaganda in exchange for funding. He highlighted that 50% of Reform's income last year came from fossil fuel firms or climate change deniers and pointed out their opposition to the Renters Rights' Act 2025 and the Employment Rights Act 2025.
Government Response
Dan Jarvis
Government Response
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Ms Butler. I begin by thanking my hon. Friend the Member for South Norfolk for introducing this debate and extend gratitude to all hon. Members who have spoken. The Government's first duty is to keep the country safe, and they are committed to taking all necessary measures to expose and disrupt any attempt to interfere with our sovereign affairs. On 18 October last year, I set out the Government's counter-political interference and espionage action plan to ensure that our democracy is the hardest possible target for foreign threat actors. The Government will invest £3 million over the next three years to support the higher education sector to strengthen its resilience. This e-petition calls for a public inquiry into Russian influence in UK democracy; however, launching an inquiry at this time would be premature as it would risk prejudging the conclusions of the ongoing review and duplicating its efforts. The Rycroft review will present a final report by the end of March, after which there will be significant opportunity for further parliamentary scrutiny and debate. The Government are working to strengthen safeguards against covert political funding through new legislation that includes tougher rules for donor recipients to conduct risk assessments before accepting donations and increasing the powers of the Electoral Commission. Building media literacy skills for young people is a priority for the Government, with £3 million provided since 2022 for media-literacy projects. A lot of meaningful activity is taking place across Government, including close working relationships between central Government and devolved institutions to ensure elections are as free and fairly contested as possible.
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