UK probe to examine Iranian interference in Scottish independence debate

Douglas Alexander said it was "right and appropriate" for the probe to examine "all actors trying to influence democratic decisions being made here in the UK".

The review, chaired by former top civil servant Philip Rycroft, was announced after Nathan Gill, the former leader of Reform UK in Wales, was jailed for taking money to make pro-Russian statements.

Mr Rycroft is expected to report back by March next year.

READ MORE: SNP ministers warned Iranian state pro-independence disinformation campaign is ‘significant issue’

Asked if the probe would consider reports of Iranian interference in the Scottish independence debate, Mr Alexander said: "Yes, there has been a lot of research in recent years indicating that there was Iranian activity in relation to the constitutional future of Scotland.

"When the Americans took the action they did, we saw a significant reduction in the number of Iranian bots promoting Scottish independence on Scottish social media sites.

"So it is right and appropriate that the investigation being undertaken looks at all actors who are trying to influence democratic decisions being made here in the UK."

He added: "Of course, the UK Government needs to be vigilant on behalf of the UK public to stop hostile actors seeking to influence our democratic processes."

Research earlier this year suggested more than 1,300 social media users posting pro-independence content between May and June were Iranian bots. When Iran shut down the internet following Israeli airstrikes in June, this activity temporarily ceased.

The UK Government said the independent review will provide an in-depth assessment of the current financial rules and safeguards and offer recommendations to further mitigate risks from foreign political interference.

Speaking in Westminster on Tuesday, UK Communities Secretary Steve Reed said: “The facts are clear. A British politician took bribes to further the interests of the Russian regime, a regime which forcefully deported vulnerable Ukrainian children and killed a British citizen on British soil, using a deadly nerve agent.

“This conduct is a stain on our democracy. The independent review will work to remove that stain.”

Shadow local government minister Paul Holmes welcomed the review and wished Mr Rycroft well in his work going forward.

He told MPs: “Protecting the integrity of our democratic system from foreign interference is not a partisan issue. It goes to the heart of public trust in our elections.

“Interference in our elections from foreign actors is something that we must all be vigilant against and I concur fully with what the secretary of state has said about Nathan Gill and join him in his sincere thanks to the CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) and the police.

“Any crime such as this deserves full condemnation from all members of this House.”

Mr Reed said he expected China and cryptocurrency donations to be examined in the review.

“The review is fully independent but I would expect China to be fully in scope because of the questions that have been raised about the threats that China poses to national security – well documented,” he said.