UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Labour MPs urge PM Keir Starmer to ban Iran’s IRGC after the UK banned Palestine Action, calling it a rising threat to Britain’s national security.
As reported by The Telegraph, Keir Starmer faces pressure from his party to designate Iran’s IRGC as a terror group after the Government’s action against Palestine Action.
The Government has announced that Palestine Action will be designated a terror group after activists breached an RAF base and vandalised two aircraft.
What approach are Labour MPs urging Keir Starmer to take on the IRGC?
As the Iranian-Israel war enters its second week, Labour backbenchers are calling on the PM to act against the IRGC just as he did with Palestine Action.
The organisation, established to protect the ideals of Iran’s 1979 revolution, has since grown into a powerful military, political, and economic force.
Despite urging proscription while in opposition, Labour has yet to take formal action against the IRGC nearly a year into government.
What did Luke Akehurst say about banning the IRGC after the RAF attack?
Luke Akehurst, the Labour MP for North Durham, stated, “I thoroughly welcome the move to proscribe Palestine Action after their violent attacks on defence companies and, most alarmingly, on RAF Brize Norton.”
He said, “It’s now urgent, given the conflict in Iran, that the Government moves to proscribe the IRGC, which is a terrorist organisation that represents a significant threat, including here in the UK.”
What did Charlotte Nichols say about the bigger national security threat?
Charlotte Nichols, the Labour MP for Warrington North, said, “As much as I have no time for Palestine Action, it’s quite clear who the bigger threat to our national security is.
He added, “They should have done it a long time ago, but the second-best time is now.”
What did Nigel Farage say about Iran’s growing threat in the UK?
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage joined calls on Saturday to have the IRGC officially banned by the government.
He said, “The Iranian regime has clearly been funding propaganda hubs and promoting terror throughout the UK.”
Mr Farage added, “It’s high time action was taken by the Government to safeguard our institutions and communities from Iranian influence. The government must finally proscribe the IRGC.”
What is Palestine Action, and why is it under terror scrutiny?
Since the Hamas-led massacre on October 7, Palestine Action has carried out a series of protests, targeting companies it alleges are associated with Zionism.
Founded in 2020, the group has attacked sites linked to an Israeli-owned arms firm and multiple universities.
Palestine Action claimed responsibility on Friday after two individuals broke into RAF Brize Norton and defaced two Airbus Voyager aircraft with red paint.
Banning Palestine Action enables asset seizures, a move IRGC critics say could help thwart Islamist influence and security risks in Britain.
What did 550 UK MPs say about Iran’s hijab law and the IRGC?
Over 550 MPs and peers, including Sir Iain Duncan Smith and Suella Braverman, have signed a letter condemning Iran’s “hijab and chastity law.”
They stated, it was “mandatory hijab, suppressing women who lead the protest and resistance movement to prevent future uprisings.”
The letter said, “Appeasing this faltering regime betrays democratic values, emboldens its repressive policies, and undermines global security as Tehran continues its nuclear ambitions and terrorism.”
It added, “Given the regime’s complete blockade of all avenues for political activity, the international community must recognise the Iranian people’s right to regime change. The IRGC should be designated as a terrorist organisation.”
Key facts about IRGC
- Established in 1979 after the Iranian Revolution to safeguard the Islamic Republic’s ideology
- Operates as a parallel military to Iran’s regular army, with its own army, navy, air force, and intelligence wing
- Reports directly to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
- Active personnel: ~150,000–190,000, with ~600,000+ including reserves