Correspondence

Independent review: countering foreign financial influence and interference in UK politics: Terms of Reference

Published 16 December 2025

Introduction

The sentencing of Nathan Gill, a former MEP, for bribery, alongside other recent cases, has exposed vulnerabilities in the UK’s political and electoral systems, particularly politicians being targeted by foreign states.

In this context, and in support of the Cross-Government Counter Political Interference and Espionage Action Plan, this review will involve an in-depth assessment of current financial and bribery related rules and safeguards that regulate political parties and political finance, and drawing on any lessons learned, recommend improvements to mitigate risks from foreign interference.

Review findings will be delivered to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Security Minister (in his capacity as the Cabinet Office Minister), and used to inform final provisions to be introduced under the UK Government’s proposed Elections Bill.

Scope and Aims of the Review

The review aims to:

• Draw on an understanding of recent events and common methods of foreign interference, assess the resilience of political parties, including financial safeguards and current political finance laws and other regulatory checks in identifying and mitigating foreign interference, including measures to enhance the scope and effectiveness of criminal enforcement.
• Take account of other relevant reviews and evidence provided by relevant statutory bodies, including the Electoral Commission.
• Provide recommendations for strengthening the rules governing political parties and political finance so that lessons can be learned and future risks mitigated.

Detailed Terms of Reference

1. Examine the effectiveness of political finance laws and current checks and balances within the UK’s political regulation in identifying and mitigating foreign interference and bribery.

2. Consider whether political finance laws could be strengthened in light of recent case studies on covert funding and foreign interference, including specific consideration of strengthening criminal enforcement measures.

3. Specifically consider safeguards against illicit funding streams including the use of difficult-to-trace assets such as crypto-currencies, cash and third parties using foreign funding for political campaigns and advertising.

4. Review the rules governing the constitution and regulation of political parties, and the Electoral Commission’s enforcement powers.

Recommendations

Provide recommendations to ensure lessons are learned and identify opportunities for strengthening mitigations against foreign interference risks.    

Governance and procedure

• The independent reviewer will be appointed by the Secretary of State of Housing, Communities, and Local Government and, given the links to the wider Action Plan, will report jointly to the Secretary of State and the Security Minister for delivery and implementation of the review.
• Procedure and conduct, including the approach to consultation with Parliamentary Authorities, central government and agency partners, will be agreed between the appointed lead reviewer, the Secretary of State, and the Security Minister, as appropriate. The review will focus on strengthening our regime for the future and, for the avoidance of doubt, past allegations surrounding the 2016 referendum will be out of scope for this work.

Report and recommendations

The reviewer will provide a final report to the Secretary of State and the Security Minister, as the Chair of the Defending Democracy Taskforce, within the agreed timeline (by the end of March) with recommendations as considered appropriate.