Downing Street has been accused of sitting on a report by Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee into Russian interference in the UK. A delay in sign-off has raised fears that No10 could be trying to suppress evidence of Russian interference ahead of the December general election.
The report, sent to No10 for sign off on 17 October, was expected to be released on 28 October ahead of the December general election.
Under the Justice and Security Act 2013, the prime minister can consider whether a report contains information that would be damaging to the work of the security and intelligence agencies.
However, the report has yet to be published, despite the committee saying it expected it to be in a position to publish it imminently.
According to BBC Newnight’s diplomatic editor Mark Urban, the report includes evidence from the UK intelligence services about Russian attempts to influence the outcome of the 2016 EU referendum and 2017 general election.
The report must be released before Parliament, and the current committee, dissolve at the end of Tuesday 5 November.
Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee is also running an inquiry into national security issues relating to China, and has agreed to undertake an inquiry considering the threat from right-wing terrorism.
The Parliamentary Intelligence & Security Cttee report on Russian actions against the UK was sent to No10 on 17/10 with the idea it should be released on 28/10, before the election, but No10 has not signed it off 1/3
— Mark Urban (@MarkUrban01) October 31, 2019
