UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood pushes fast‑track national security bill

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is promoting the National Security (State Threats) Bill, which would give authorities powers to designate organisations linked to hostile foreign states—such as Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps—as security threats and impose up to 14 years’ imprisonment on individuals working for them. The government argues the legislation is needed urgently after recent attacks on Jewish communities and rising state‑backed threats. Critics, including Shadow Home Office minister Alicia Kearns and Conservative MPs, say the bill is being rushed through Parliament in a single day, denying line‑by‑line scrutiny and committee amendment time. A vote on allocating debate time was rejected by 233 to 94. The legislation follows recommendations from terrorism watchdog Jonathan Hall KC, who noted existing laws do not adequately cover state‑backed groups.