Starmer plans new powers to ban state-back terror groups

"The new powers would allow the UK government to label state-backed groups as terrorist organisations, creating new criminal offences for people who support or promote groups formally listed as state-supported threats."

"Labour MPs have been urging the UK government to ban the IRGC following a series of antisemitic attacks since the war in Iran started."

"Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the UK must 'deal with malign state actors' and suggested his government would bring forward legislation 'as quickly as possible.'"

"Maintaining diplomatic relations with Iran has been cited as a reason for not proscribing the IRGC in the past."

The UK government plans to introduce new anti-terror powers to ban state threats, including Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). These powers will enable the government to designate state-backed groups as terrorist organizations, creating new criminal offenses for supporting or promoting them. The legislation will be outlined in the King's Speech on 13 May. Labour MPs have urged the ban following antisemitic attacks linked to Iranian groups. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer emphasized the need for legislation to address malign state actors swiftly.

Read at www.bbc.com