(Lab): My Lords, there is increasing evidence that there
has been inference in 19 elections across Europe and in the
United States. That evidence is gathering a head of steam. It
shows encouragement of extreme parties across Europe, the funding
of them and interference using cyber and other mechanisms to
undermine processes. While I am grateful for the reply that there
is no complacency from government, I want to hear whether we are
going to use sanctions against supporters of Mr Putin who live in
this country and make use of it, and whether the Magnitsky Act
laws that we have now introduced to deal with money laundering,
sanctions and so on will be used. Have any steps been taken to
use them? Will we see lists of people who will have sanctions
used against them? Will we know which Ministers will handle the
Magnitsky Act?
(Con):
The noble Baroness raises a series of important issues. On the
general theme, perhaps I may remind noble Lords of what the Prime
Minister said in her post-Salisbury Commons speech. She said
that,
“led by the National Crime Agency, we will continue to bring all
the capabilities of UK law enforcement to bear against serious
criminals and corrupt elites. There is no place for these people
or their money in our country”.—[Official Report, Commons,
14/3/18; col. 859.]
More specifically on Magnitsky, the noble Baroness will recall
that the House recently debated the Sanctions and Anti-Money
Laundering Act, which gives us powers to sanction individuals or
entities to promote compliance with international human rights
laws. That will allow us to take a range of actions against those
suspected of gross human rights abuse such as that committed
against Sergei Magnitsky. She will also know that we introduced
unexplained wealth orders from the beginning of this year, some
of which I understand have already been used where individuals
have a standard of living which cannot on the face of it be
explained by their declared income. This is an issue that we take
seriously. We have introduced a number of other measures,
including action taken under other legislation to bring to
justice those who have committed any offence.
To read all the exchanges, CLICK
HERE
