In response to global reports of incidents of transnational repression (TNR), the defending democracy taskforce has conducted a review into the UK’s response to this phenomenon, focusing on building our understanding of the scale, nature, and impact domestically, as well as making recommendations to strengthen that response. The review—completed in partnership with lead Government Departments, the police and the intelligence services, alongside engagement with victims of TNR—represents a comprehensive deep dive into the issue. This review has recently concluded and in my capacity as taskforce chair, as well as Security Minister, I am updating the House on the UK’s approach to TNR.
The UK recognise TNR as a term to describe certain foreign state-directed crimes against individuals. This activity can take place both physically or online, with examples including intimidation, surveillance, harassment, forced/coerced return, abduction and even assassination at the most serious end of the scale.
Recent instances of conduct described as TNR in the UK include: the targeting of Iran International in 2023; Hong Kong authorities targeting individuals for exercising their right to freedom of expression by issuing bounties under their National Security Law; and the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal in Salisbury in 2018.
The review has found that TNR in the UK tends to be targeted and specific, where perpetrating states particularly focus on individuals whom they perceive as threats or otherwise seek to control, such as vocal critics, dissidents, or activists opposed to their regime. While TNR does not affect large numbers of people across the UK, its impacts can be severe, not only for those directly targeted but also for wider communities, where fear and concern may spread.
The UK’s response to tackling state-directed threats is world leading and our approach has matured considerably, even since the review’s inception. The review has found that the UK has the appropriate tools and system-wide safeguards in place to robustly counter this threat. While we maintain a hard operating environment for those states wishing to conduct TNR, the review makes several recommendations to strengthen the UK’s response even further.
States conducting TNR in the UK cannot act with impunity. The National Security Act attained Royal Assent in December 2023, and this pioneering legislation introduced new and updated powers and offences to ensure that the UK has the tools necessary to disrupt and deter all forms of malign foreign interference, including transnational repression.
The review has examined the work being conducted by the police and intelligence services in relation to TNR and the support provided to those under threat. It has concluded that the continued implementation of, and enforcement in relation to, the National Security Act is of paramount importance if the UK is to remain a challenging operating environment for foreign states looking to control and influence those who oppose them. As the new legislation builds on existing laws and effective practice, police and intelligence services have mature mechanisms in place to continually assess potential threats in the UK. As a result, police and intelligence services take a proactive approach to countering the most acute forms of state-directed threats to individuals, using a wide range of tactics to protect those identified as at risk.
Alongside our comprehensive statutory list of offences, measures and powers, the review has found that the UK has a suite of further tools to hold states accountable. For example, when alerted to instances of TNR, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office deploys the most appropriate diplomatic measures, both publicly and privately, to raise the cost to foreign states of carrying out interference activity. Furthermore, we work closely with likeminded partners through both bilateral and multilateral channels, including the G7 rapid response mechanism and UN, to raise awareness and build our collective resilience to this threat. For example, in June 2024 the UK signed up to a joint statement on TNR at the UN Human Rights Council. This statement outlined our joint understanding on TNR and commitment to tackle this threat together.
In conjunction with the TNR review team, and as I set out in my statement on Iranian state threats on 4 March 2025, the College of Policing has launched training and guidance which is now available for all 45 territorial police forces in the UK. This will enhance the ability of front-line police officers and staff in the identification of state-directed crimes and the actions that can be taken to escalate and mitigate this activity. This training will assist the police as they provide support to those affected by state threats activity and keep people safe. I have recently written to chief constables to emphasise the importance of this training, as increased recognition of state-directed crimes will strengthen our ability to shape our response based on threat.
The review team has also carefully considered how best to encourage reporting and ensure that reports received are treated seriously and dealt with appropriately. In consultation with Counter Terrorism Policing, the review has found that existing mechanisms—999, 101, or at a local police station—together with the new foreign interference training package, are the most effective ways to report state directed crimes and will ensure victims receive the support and protection they need. I appreciate that this is a highly sensitive matter, and there may be some reluctance to report experiences. However, it is crucial for anyone who believes they are a victim of state-directed crimes to report their concerns to the police; reports will be handled sensitively, taken seriously and investigated swiftly in line with UK law.
The UK maintains a hard operating environment for those states wishing to conduct TNR. However, the review makes several recommendations to strengthen the UK’s response even further. Today, I am publishing a guidance page on gov.uk providing those who believe themselves to be at risk of TNR with practical advice for their safety both physically and online. This guidance will complement the work of the police and intelligence services in operationalising relevant powers, including under the National Security Act, and will enable this Government to expand our collaboration with international partners to share information and co-ordinate responses.
The full detail of the review’s recommendations will no doubt be of great interest to states known to perpetrate TNR, so neither the recommendations nor the review itself will be made publicly available. Furthermore, given the sensitive nature of this topic and to preserve the integrity of security arrangements, we will not routinely comment on specific allegations. I would, however, refer to the public statements made by Ken McCallum, the director general of MI5, concerning the complex and interconnected threat environment, including the threats posed by authoritarian regimes whose repression at home increasingly extends to aggression overseas. The review recommends that the UK’s tools and approach remain agile in response to this changing threat environment.
Instances of TNR are a threat to our national security and sovereignty, and seek to undermine the principles of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. This is unacceptable and will not be tolerated, irrespective of the perpetrating country.
Let me reiterate that acts of TNR tend to be targeted and specific; I encourage people to exercise alertness, but crucially they should not live in fear. It is this Government’s priority to ensure the safety and security of those who live here. I am pleased that this comprehensive review has found that the UK has a robust system in place to ensure the protection of the public and has made proportionate recommendations to strengthen our approach further. I would stress again that anyone who believes that they are a victim of a crime directed by a foreign state should contact the police to report their concerns.
The UK will continue to ensure the systems in place to detect, deter and counter transnational repression are robust in keeping people safe.
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