The UK has passed new laws granting new powers to the Home Secretary to crack down on groups carrying out “hostile activity on behalf of foreign states”, which could include Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Police and intelligence agencies are now being given further powers to restrict and proscribe groups they deem to be “carrying out hostile activity for foreign states, including their proxies”.
The additional powers became an official law on July 8 under the National Security (State Threats) Act.
The government press release specifically references “the recent wave of abhorrent antisemitic attacks” as the reason for the law, stating that the legislation will provide proscription-like powers.
“The Home Secretary has been given new counter-terrorism style powers to target groups working at the behest of, or in the interests of, foreign states to carry out acts which threaten the UK’s security and the safety of communities across the country. This could include attacks against particular communities, targeting of dissidents on UK soil, or cyber attacks on critical national infrastructure,” the statement said.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “Keeping our country and communities safe is the first duty of any government. That’s why we’ve taken decisive action to deal with the growing threat posed by aggressive foreign states.”
“Under these new powers, we’re going further to dismantle and deter hostile activity. This act gives the police and intelligence agencies the tools they need to pursue foreign powers and their proxies, and better protect our communities, institutions, and democratic values.”
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Repercussions
The statement went on to describe how supporting a designated organisation, including glorifying or encouraging its activity, will face prosecution.
This includes assisting or receiving payments from a designated organisation.
Additional fears over the new Bill include the potential criminalisation of British foreign correspondents and NGO workers who engage with designated state-backed groups.
Independent reviewers of terrorism legislation have warned that the Bill’s vague wording risks criminalising journalists and could lead to prison sentences of up to 14 years.
However, a Home Office spokesperson said: “This Bill does nothing to undermine the vital work journalists do, and any suggestion otherwise is absolutely false. Legitimate activity, including journalistic freedoms, is protected under the Bill, as well as diplomatic and humanitarian engagement.”
“We have a proud tradition in this country of upholding the freedom of the press. Indeed, it is our obligation to ensure journalists are empowered to carry out their work.”
Vague definitions
Critics have also warned about the vague wording of the Bill, specifically regarding what constitutes “foreign power threat activity” or “expressing support”.
( Raşid Necati Aslım – Anadolu Agency )
On June 17, MP Jeremy Corbyn said that the Bill constitutes “an alarming expansion of state power, and an escalation of the government’s chilling assault on the right to protest”.
Corbyn highlighted the arrests of over 3,000 Palestine Action supporters since July 2025 under similar terror legislation.
Palestine Action’s proscription was found to be unlawful last month after five judges overturned the High Court’s ruling in February.
