Thank you for contacting me about the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). I note that you previously wrote to me about this issue in June. Please accept my apologies for the failure to respond to that email, which resulted from staff sickness and shortages.
I share your concerns about the IRGC’s destabilising activity, including its political, financial and military support to a number of militant and proscribed groups in Lebanon and Syria, including Hezbollah, militias in Iraq and the Houthis in Yemen.
I am aware of calls for the IRGC to be proscribed in the UK, especially since the horrific attack on Salman Rushdie. As you know, the law allows for an organisation to be proscribed in the UK if it is currently concerned in terrorism, within the meaning of the Terrorism Act 2000.
I believe it is for the Government to objectively decide which groups and organisations are proscribed in the UK based on the latest intelligence and clear evidence available to Ministers. The Government has said that it does not routinely comment on intelligence or specific threats. These matters should of course be kept under review.
I support the UK sanctions in place that work to constrain the IRGC’s destabilising activity, including the Iran (Sanctions) (Nuclear) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, which apply to the IRGC in its entirety. The Government should ensure it continues to take action to address threats from Iran to the UK, our interests, and our allies including Israel.
Thank you once again for contacting me. I can assure you I will continue to monitor progress on this matter closely.
Yours sincerely,
Barry Gardiner
Member of Parliament for Brent North