The UK government has launched an independent review into foreign financial interference in UK politics, spurred by the jailing of a former MEP linked to accepting Russian bribes.

Former senior civil servant Philip Rycroft will lead the inquiry, reporting to Steve Reed and the chair of the defending democracy task force, with a target completion by late March next year.

The review will assess political financing laws, party funding rules, and safeguards against illicit money—including cryptocurrency donations and other modern funding channels.

Officials are considering China-related threats, the impact of social media on interference, and potential reforms such as donation caps and broader transparency measures.

There will be no reexamination of Brexit referendum interference; the focus remains broad but on current and future threats to democracy.

The government’s prior elections strategy will be reassessed to ensure protections are adequate in light of recent events.

Reaction spans parties, with concerns that the review could tilt donation rules in Labour’s favor amid broader reform talk.

MI5/MI6 guidance and counter-interference plans will accompany the review, including security briefings for parties and candidates and collaboration with networks to deter espionage.

The inquiry will scrutinize the Electoral Commission’s enforcement powers, shell companies, donor regulation, and the integrity of party funding, aiming to strengthen democracy safeguards.

It will examine current donation rules and election safeguards, potentially informing changes to the Elections Bill and foreign donation rules, including funding to think tanks and shell entities.

There are signaling concerns about timing and how the review will be perceived politically.

The review will consider all potential sources of malign foreign financial interference, including China, but will not reassess 2016 EU referendum interference and will avoid targeting any single party.