UK Mulls New Laws To Protect Against 'Hostile' Countries Like Russia, China - Reports
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published April 19, 2021 | 01:32 PM
The United Kingdom government plans to introduce a new law that will obligate people working on behalf of foreign governments in the UK to register their presence, in an attempt to protect the country from "hostile states" such as Russia and China, media reported Monday
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th April, 2021) The United Kingdom government plans to introduce a new law that will obligate people working on behalf of foreign governments in the UK to register their presence, in an attempt to protect the country from "hostile states" such as Russia and China, media reported Monday.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson will announce the bill on the day of the Queen's Speech, May 11, the Times reported. Under the new law, the refusal to register will be considered a criminal offense.
The Official Secrets Act will also be amended so that it can be applied in cases where individuals "try to undermine Britain's interest from abroad," the newspaper reports. These include hack attacks conducted on behalf of "hostile states." As of now the law only applies to British citizens who reside abroad.
The new concept will be similar to that operating in the United States, where foreign agents must undergo compulsory registration with the Department of Justice as well as periodically submit reports of their activities.�
Current laws in the UK only allows the prosecution of� foreign spies if they are caught red-handed obtaining state secrets.
The reports come after the release of a statement by the UK and US on April 15, stating that both countries "attributed a cyber attack to the Russian intelligence service" on the SolarWinds compromise. The UK said it would do anything in its power to protect the country form "Russia's attempts to destabilize our societies."
Moscow and Beijing have consistently denied a role in any� such activities.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Pakistan's total liquid foreign reserves reach $ 13.37 billion
Firefighters battle Copenhagen blaze for third day as facade collapses
Biden to receive Kennedy family backing against RFK threat
Stock markets rise as traders consider US rate outlook
Prime Minister Azad Jammu and Kashmir Chaudhry Anwar ul Haq congratulates Amir M ..
Jail terms sought for accused in $1.8 bn Malaysian fund fraud
Parvez Elahi's indictment delayed again in two cases
Business community alarmed by alleged Cigarette tax violations
Iran-Pakistan ties strengthen amid economic and regional cooperation: Ambassador
KP CM condemns killing of custom officials in Dera
Google fires 28 workers protesting contract with Israel
Sindh Tourism Minister calls on Governor
More Stories From World
-
Firefighters battle Copenhagen blaze for third day as facade collapses
45 minutes ago -
Biden to receive Kennedy family backing against RFK threat
45 minutes ago -
Jail terms sought for accused in $1.8 bn Malaysian fund fraud
45 minutes ago -
Google fires 28 workers protesting contract with Israel
47 minutes ago -
France's Macron to meet Lebanon PM in Paris Friday: French presidency
47 minutes ago -
Croatian parties scramble to form government in hung parliament
47 minutes ago
-
Maldives court frees jailed ex-president Yameen
47 minutes ago -
UN chief warns Mideast on brink of 'full-scale regional conflict'
47 minutes ago -
Germany arrests two over military base attack plot for Russia
47 minutes ago -
Israel bombs Gaza as West sanctions Iran drones over attack
44 minutes ago -
Ukraine has 'critical need' for air defence: NATO chief
2 hours ago -
Two schoolgirls wounded in knife attack in France: officials
2 hours ago