The Lords supported the National Security (State Threats) Bill in principle, but pressed ministers to tighten its drafting and limit the risk that new offences could catch charities, humanitarian groups and conflict-mediation work. Peers also questioned whether the bill should go further on organisations linked to hostile states such as Iran’s IRGC and the Chinese Communist Party’s United Front Work Department; the minister promised a formal assurance on exemptions, said any future body designations would need Parliament’s approval, and confirmed passport seizure powers would be left to later legislation.

#National Security (State Threats) Bill, #Second Reading, #National Security, #State Threats, #Foreign Interference, #IRGC, #Home Office, #Humanitarian Aid, #Transnational Repression, #Cybersecurity, #Iran, #China, #Russia

Peers pressed ministers on the discovery of an electronic device in a shared area of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and on reports of hidden cameras and tracking devices linked to concerns about Chinese influence. The Government said the matter is under investigation, rejected claims that a tracker was found in a former prime minister’s car, and refused to speculate before the security inquiries are complete.

Defending Democracy Taskforce appears here as a parliamentary thread from the Lords Chamber on 12 Jan 2026, with 9 speakers contributing 18 speeches.

#Election Security, #Foreign Interference, #Political Intimidation, #Transnational Repression, #Disinformation