UK to Crack Down on Hostile State Proxies Next Month
The British government expects new legislation to take effect in July aimed at curbing state-linked organizations that hire criminals for surveillance and sabotage. Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated the law will target actors paying third parties to threaten democratic institutions and public safety.
The United Kingdom will implement a new law next month to criminalize proxies acting for hostile states like Iran. The legislation targets state-linked organizations that hire organized crime groups or low-level felons for surveillance and sabotage. The move addresses state-threat investigations increasing by 35% last year and follows a spate of antisemitic attacks in London.
### Closing the Proxy Loophole The new powers aim to eliminate a legislative gap that allowed foreign actors to outsource illegal activities to petty criminals. Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated the government will not tolerate hostile actors paying criminals to perform "dirty work" on their behalf. The law makes it illegal to express support for designated proxies or accept their funding, carrying prison sentences of up to 14 years.
