Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department is taking to (a) identify and (b) prevent Russian interference in the UK political system by funding (i) UK political parties and party members and (ii) extremists in the UK.

There are rules in place to ensure that only those with a legitimate interest in UK elections can make political donations. All MPs and members of political parties are regulated donees and can only accept donations of more than £500 made to them in connection with their political activities if it is from a permissible donor. Donations from individuals not on the UK electoral register, such as foreign donors, are not allowed.

In addition, Members of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords must provide information on any financial or non-financial benefit which might reasonably be thought by others to influence their actions or words as Members of Parliament.

However, we know that in very rare instances, malign actors disguise their links to foreign Governments. It is, and always will be, an absolute priority to protect the UK against foreign interference. The Government has structures in place to identify foreign interference or any potential threats to democracy and, where necessary, take proportionate action to mitigate them.

The Government remains committed to tackling Right-Wing Extremism and extremist fundraising. We continue to consider all emerging evidence and analysis of financing for extremist causes.

As previously announced, the Home Office will be introducing new legislation to ensure our security services and law enforcement agencies have the tools they need to disrupt state threats as soon as parliamentary time allows.