Hostile states pose a “real risk” to Britain’s security, and without significant reforms, there will soon be “the next major parliamentary scandal”, an inter-party commission warned.
All party parliamentary groups (APPGs) can easily be used for “improper access and influence by hostile foreign actors”, evidence before the Common Standards Committee shows.
The large increase in the number of informal interest groups risks “inappropriate influence and access” because they are so difficult to monitor.
Municipal spokesman Sir Lindsay Hoyle warned in private evidence before the committee of “very, very worrying” security implications without making urgent changes to the way the APPG works.
The warnings in the report come after MI5 revealed that a woman who was “instrumental” in setting up the Chinese APPG in Britain was a spy for the Chinese government.
What are APPGs?
All-Party Parliamentary Groups (UPGs) are informal inter-party groups run by and for MPs and colleagues.
They have no official status in parliament and most include individuals and organizations outside parliament.
The current rules for inviting people from outside parliament to participate in APPGs, MPs must carefully consider “whether there are any potential concerns about specific invitations”.
The rules say that groups “should be transparent about their nature, membership and funding”, but the main current concern is not to confuse them with elected committees.
Labor MP Barry Gardiner, a former chairman of the now-disbanded group, received more than £ 500,000 in donations from Christine Lee before the warning was issued in January.
The Commission concluded: “We are concerned that, if left unchecked, the APPG could represent the next major parliamentary scandal, with businesses effectively buying access and influence from parliamentarians and decision-makers”.
Municipal authorities need to “provide more support” to help lawmakers consider the benefits offered by foreign governments, the committee said.
Funding should be more transparent, lawmakers said, and the number of APPGs should be reduced from the current 744, lawmakers added.
They also advised regulatory enforcement and limiting the number of group secretariats to “reduce the risk of incorrect access”.
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Labor MP Chris Bryant, chairman of the Standards Committee, said the APPG “should never be a means of spreading influence around corridors of power or pursuing commercial interests”.
“Today’s report is a wake-up call for all of us. “The evidence we have gathered is chilling and points to the urgent need for the Chamber to take action,” he said.
“Parliament has always been and will always be a target for hostile foreign countries.
“But with better regulation and transparency around these informal groups, we can ensure that they continue to make a positive contribution to our democracy.
Sir Lindsay said he had been concerned for “several years” about “security risks posed by some APPGs in terms of their indiscriminate engagement with government actors hostile to the interests of the United Kingdom”.
“I also have concerns about the proliferation of such groups, the influence of lobbyists on them and the lack of transparency and regulation of their activities,” he added.
“I have been told that the proposals are currently being consulted and it will ultimately be a matter for the Chamber as a whole to make final decisions on how to better regulate.”
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