The Daily Express today quotes former Home Secretary Priti Patel claiming that Labour has “failed to track down Iranian funding sloshing around the UK” and that ministers are “burying their heads in the sand” while Iran’s nuclear ambitions grow. These are serious allegations — but they are not supported by the factual record. A clear comparison of each party’s actions shows a very different picture.

Iranian-linked hostile activity in the UK is real and well-documented by MI5: plots against dissidents, intimidation of journalists, cyber operations, and proxy criminal networks. But the question is not whether Iran poses a threat — it is whether Labour has “failed to act”, and whether the Conservatives’ 14-year record stands up to scrutiny.

Labour Government Actions (2024–2026):

1. Full IRGC designation:

Labour sanctioned the entire Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps — a step the Conservatives refused to take for 14 years.

2. 450+ Iranian-linked sanctions:

Individuals, entities, cyber units, and procurement networks have been designated since 2024.

3. Iran Air flights suspended:

Direct flights were halted due to missile transfers to Russia.

4. Jonathan Hall KC reforms implemented:

New hostile-state disruption tools, long recommended but never enacted by the previous government.

5. Foxtrot network sanctioned:

An Iran-backed criminal network operating across Europe was formally targeted.

6. Foreign influence registration scheme tightened:

Iran placed on the “enhanced tier”, increasing transparency around foreign-state influence.

These are concrete, measurable actions — not “burying heads in the sand” fantasies.

Conservative Government Record (2010–2024):

1. IRGC not proscribed:

Despite repeated calls from MPs, security experts, and allies, the Conservatives declined to proscribe the IRGC.

2. Funding opaque organisations:

The Home Office paid the Henry Jackson Society £83,452 — a think tank with undisclosed foreign donors and links to ministers.

3. Slow sanctions regime:

Iranian networks were sanctioned, but at a slower pace and with narrower scope than the current government.

4. Failure to implement state-threat reforms:

Jonathan Hall KC’s recommendations were left unimplemented for years.

5. Ministerial ties to groups with foreign-funding concerns:

Including Patel herself receiving HJS-funded travel.

6. No enhanced foreign-influence tier for Iran:

This transparency measure was introduced only after the change of government.

This is not a record based on just 2 years, as the Labour record is, this is a record over a 14 year period.

Conclusion:

Patel’s claim that Labour has “failed to track down Iranian funding” is political rhetoric, not a factual assessment. Labour has taken substantial action against Iranian-linked activity, while the Conservative record includes both successes and serious gaps. The evidence shows that the UK’s current counter-Iran posture is stronger, not weaker, than it was during the previous 14 years.

*WHY DOES DINOSAUR REPRESENTATION OF FACTS BY RIGHT WING NESPAPERS PERSIST*

Because when you do not move with the times, like all dinosaurs do you die - as newspapers do *Daily*