Sir Keir Starmer has committed to introducing legislation within weeks to proscribe Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The Labour leader has faced increasing pressure to take action against the Iranian military organisation, which is already designated a terrorist entity by the European Union and listed as a state sponsor of terrorism in Australia.
New Legislation for Malign State Activity
While ministers previously maintained that proscription was not intended for state bodies such as the IRGC, the Home Office has now confirmed that new legislation is being developed. This framework will include "proscription-like powers" specifically aimed at clamping down on "malign state activity." The Prime Minister recently reiterated that this legislation would be brought forward in a matter of weeks, making the announcement during a visit to a London synagogue targeted by arsonists.
Asked by the Jewish Chronicle about the prospect of proscribing the IRGC, Sir Keir said: “In relation to malign state actors more generally, proscription, we do need legislation in order to take necessary measures, and that is legislation that we’re bringing forward as soon as we can. We go into a new session in a few weeks’ time and we’ll bring that legislation forward.”
Parliamentary Timeline
The next parliamentary session is set to begin after the King’s Speech on May 13. During the same visit to Kenton United Synagogue in Harrow, Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis urged the Prime Minister to speed up the process towards proscribing the IRGC and “similar organisations”.
Rising Concerns Over Proxy Activity
Sir Keir Starmer has said he is “increasingly concerned” about countries using proxies for criminal activity in the UK after a series of arson attacks on Jewish community venues. A group that calls itself Harakat Ashab al-Yamin al-Islamia, the Islamic Movement of the Companions of the Right, that is suspected to be Iran-backed, has claimed responsibility for most of the incidents, along with other attacks in Europe, since March 9.
The IRGC is a branch of Iran’s military created to protect the ruling Islamic Republic but it has been linked to at least 20 credible threats in the UK since 2022.
Government Commitment to Security
A Home Office spokesperson said: “Protecting our national security is the first duty of government, and we’ll do whatever it takes to keep our citizens safe from harm. We are bringing forward proscription-like powers to clamp down on malign state activity. Work on this legislation is well under way and you can expect to see more soon.”
