Britain will introduce new laws to allow the security services to proscribe state-based groups such as Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the Home Secretary has said.
Following the arrests of eight Iranians allegedly involved in a plot to attack the Israeli embassy, Yvette Cooper told MPs that Britain would “not tolerate growing state-backed threats on UK soil”. In what is a significant diplomatic low between the two countries, the Home Secretary said the new legislation comes against a “backdrop of rising numbers of Iran-linked operations” on UK soil.
“The Iranian regime poses an unacceptable threat to our domestic security which cannot continue,” she told MPs. The new legislation will cover state-based threats rather than terrorist organisations, which would be tougher than the current National Security Act.
The move comes after Jonathan Hall, the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, reported “gaps in a series of areas” including on proscribing legislation where there was “a series of legal difficulties” in using powers that were designed to deal with terrorist groups for state-backed organisations, such as the IRGC.
Ms Cooper said Mr Hall’s recommendations would be followed up with “new powers, modelled on counter-terrorism powers” to tackle the state threats. “We will create a new power of proscription to cover state threats, a power that is stronger than current National Security Act powers in allowing us to restrict the activity and operations of foreign state-backed organisations in the UK.”
She also confirmed that three of the Iranians charged with terror offences came to the UK by lorry and small boat between 2016 and 2022, and that the UK would introduce stronger security measures, with counter-terrorism powers used at the border.
Earlier on Monday the Iranian ambassador was summoned to the Foreign Office and given an official dressing down, it was confirmed. Ms Cooper added that Foreign Secretary David Lammy would tell the Iranian Foreign Minister “in the strongest terms that the UK will not accept any Iranian state threat activity in the UK”.
The British charge d'affaires in Tehran was summoned earlier due to the arrests.
Ms Cooper also said that “MI5 state threats investigations have increased by nearly 50 per cent in a year”. She told MPs: “As well as growing, those threats are becoming more interconnected, and the old boundaries between state threats, terrorists and organised criminals are being eroded.
On Saturday, three Iranian nationals were charged with offences under the National Security Act 2023 of engaging in conduct likely to assist a foreign intelligence service. They were also charged with surveillance, reconnaissance and open research with the intention to commit acts of serious violence against a person in the United Kingdom.
The foreign state to which these charges relate was Iran and those charged are the first Iranian nationals to be charged under the National Security Act. Ms Cooper said Prime Minister Keir Starmer had committed to publishing a new national security strategy.
MATCH INFO
Fixture: Thailand v UAE, Tuesday, 4pm (UAE)
TV: Abu Dhabi Sports
Stormy seas
Weather warnings show that Storm Eunice is soon to make landfall. The videographer and I are scrambling to return to the other side of the Channel before it does. As we race to the port of Calais, I see miles of wire fencing topped with barbed wire all around it, a silent ‘Keep Out’ sign for those who, unlike us, aren’t lucky enough to have the right to move freely and safely across borders.
We set sail on a giant ferry whose length dwarfs the dinghies migrants use by nearly a 100 times. Despite the windy rain lashing at the portholes, we arrive safely in Dover; grateful but acutely aware of the miserable conditions the people we’ve left behind are in and of the privilege of choice.
Film: In Syria
Dir: Philippe Van Leeuw
Starring: Hiam Abbass, Diamand Bo Abboud, Mohsen Abbas and Juliette Navis
Verdict: Four stars
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
%3Cp%3EName%3A%20DarDoc%3Cbr%3EBased%3A%20Abu%20Dhabi%3Cbr%3EFounders%3A%20Samer%20Masri%2C%20Keswin%20Suresh%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20HealthTech%3Cbr%3ETotal%20funding%3A%20%24800%2C000%3Cbr%3EInvestors%3A%20Flat6Labs%2C%20angel%20investors%20%2B%20Incubated%20by%20Hub71%2C%20Abu%20Dhabi's%20Department%20of%20Health%3Cbr%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%2010%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium (Malacca, Malayisa)
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia scheduled for October 10
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Sebastian Stefan, Sebastian Morar and Claudia Pacurar
Based: Dubai, UAE
Founded: 2014
Number of employees: 36
Sector: Logistics
Raised: $2.5 million
Investors: DP World, Prime Venture Partners and family offices in Saudi Arabia and the UAE
Dr Amal Khalid Alias revealed a recent case of a woman with daughters, who specifically wanted a boy.
A semen analysis of the father showed abnormal sperm so the couple required IVF.
Out of 21 eggs collected, six were unused leaving 15 suitable for IVF.
A specific procedure was used, called intracytoplasmic sperm injection where a single sperm cell is inserted into the egg.
On day three of the process, 14 embryos were biopsied for gender selection.
The next day, a pre-implantation genetic report revealed four normal male embryos, three female and seven abnormal samples.
Day five of the treatment saw two male embryos transferred to the patient.
The woman recorded a positive pregnancy test two weeks later.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
The British in India: Three Centuries of Ambition and Experience
by David Gilmour
Allen Lane
