HANSARDCommons06 Mar 20255 contributions

Democratic Processes: Foreign Interference

Wera Hobhouse (Bath) (LD)
Liberal DemocratBath
19. What steps he is taking to ensure the security of democratic processes from foreign interference.
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Pat McFadden)
LabourWolverhampton South East
It is an absolute priority to protect the UK’s democratic processes from foreign interference. The defending democracy taskforce has been set up to protect the democratic integrity of the UK from such interference. The Prime Minister recently reconfirmed its mandate, and the Security Minister chaired a meeting of the taskforce last week.
Wera Hobhouse
Liberal DemocratBath
As well as addressing foreign interference, will the Minister update us on how we can protect our own election infrastructure to safeguard against misinformation, voter suppression and cyber-attacks?
Pat McFadden
LabourWolverhampton South East
We had some earlier exchanges about cyber-attacks. It is important that our democratic processes uphold their integrity and that people who take part in our elections exercise their choice freely and without external interference in the process. The Government are dedicated to ensuring that that happens.