MPs and Peers quiz National Crime Agency chief on foreign interference in UK political finance
On Monday, MPs and Peers on the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy will quiz the Director General of the National Crime Agency (NCA) on foreign interference in the UK’s democracy and political finance.
In recent years, concerns have grown about possible foreign interference in UK political finance. A 2025 report by Transparency International UK suggested that £13 million of political donations had come from donors alleged or proven to be intermediaries for foreign funds or a hidden source.
Meeting details
Members of the Committee are likely to ask witnesses how foreign interference threats in political finance are likely to develop in coming years, both nationally and at the local level.
They may ask witnesses what conditions would encourage the NCA to intervene in a suspected foreign interference case, and how new Know Your Donor rules expected in the upcoming Elections Bill will impact on the NCA’s work.
They may also ask specifically about the impact of cryptocurrency donations, and whether new screening processes might be needed to address the potential risks of foreign interference through crypto.