Interpol: Russia

Lord Garnier Excerpts

Monday 9th November 2026 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Lord Garnier]

To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking (1) unilaterally, and (2) in co-operation with other member states of Interpol, to prevent the abuse of Interpol red notices and diffusions by Russia.

[The Minister of State, Home Office (Lord Hanson of Flint) (Lab)]

The Government take any misuse of Interpol systems extremely seriously. We will work with the National Crime Agency and Interpol to monitor safeguards, including the Notices and Diffusions Task Force, which scrutinises red notices and diffusions. We will also work with like-minded countries through Interpol’s governance structure to strengthen safeguards and take action against abuse, including by Russia.

[Lord Garnier (Con)]

My Lords, nobody who practises in this area of the law—I declare that interest—will be surprised by Russia’s abuse of the system to target its political opponents abroad. Ben Keith, a barrister well known for his expertise in this area of law, has recently written in the Times:

“Russia has been the worst offender for years”,


despite Interpol claiming, since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, that it has the matter under control. Will the Minister ensure that, on our own and with our democratic allies, we take robust and effective measures to prevent Russia abusing the system, most obviously by not allowing Interpol to publish any red notices or diffusions unless they have been previously examined in detail?

[Lord Hanson of Flint (Lab)]

I am grateful to the noble and learned Lord for his question. He will know that Interpol is responsible for its own governance and structure; we are simply a part of that. We are keen to ensure that standards are maintained. That is why we play a role in the various committees to uphold scrutiny of these issues. Indeed, there is currently a UK candidate in the election for members of the body that examines red notices. It is important that those standards are maintained. If there are breaches then Interpol will take action, not the UK Government independently.

--- Later in debate ---

[Lord Hanson of Flint (Lab)]

We are trying to play a constructive role in scrutinising red notices and other methods by Interpol as a whole. Ultimately, the governance of Interpol, which comprises 196 countries, is a matter for Interpol. We will help support Interpol in that scrutiny but, ultimately, it is for Interpol to determine its governance and operations.

[Lord Garnier (Con)]

My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for his several answers but they give the impression that the Government are being a little passive. I agree that there are a huge number of members of Interpol, but it requires leadership from a major country such as the UK to engender some sense of enthusiasm for the proper scrutiny of red notices issued by countries such as Russia, which we all know—and he, his department and the Government as a whole know—is fiddling the system and causing abuse. Could the Minister, perhaps later this afternoon, have a word with some of his colleagues in government and ask them to move this up a gear?

[Lord Hanson of Flint (Lab)]

I never wish to give the noble and learned Lord the impression that I am not taking things as seriously as he would wish. The UK believes there are robust safeguards in place: 100% of red notice requests are reviewed before publication by the Interpol Notices and Diffusions Task Force, and the UK is an active participant in the Interpol governance committee for data processing, which discusses all aspects of Interpol’s constitution, including safeguards against misuse. We strongly support Interpol’s efforts to ensure that systems are in place and, where necessary, we will continue to press for reform on those matters. I return to the point that, ultimately, we are one part of a 196-member organisation; it is for Interpol as a whole to determine its governance and its responsibilities in those areas.