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Question for Cabinet Office

UIN HL9217, tabled on 4 July 2018

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of any attempts by foreign organisations or states to reverse the UK's decision to withdraw from the EU by funding or otherwise supporting domestic organisations.

Answered on

18 July 2018

The Government takes the security and integrity of our democratic processes extremely seriously but has not seen evidence of any successful interference in the EU Referendum by any foreign government.

Political parties and referendum campaigners can only accept donations from “permissible donors” which includes individuals on the electoral roll, companies registered in and conducting business in the UK and a number of other UK-registered bodies. Accepting a donation that is not permissible is a criminal offence. The Electoral Commission has powers to fine parties or campaigners who accept impermissible donations. The Government will continue to work to strengthen our democratic processes.

We remain vigilant against attempts to erode trust in our democratic processes and institutions and will defend the UK from all forms of malign foreign state interference.

Answered by

Cabinet Office