Boris to overhaul treason laws after Russia outcry

BORIS Johnson is to give Britain’s treason laws the biggest shakeup since 1695 in a bid to counter the growing threat of hostile states such as Russia and China.

In the wake of severe criticism from Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee in the Russia report last week, increased hostilities with China and legal loopholes that could see returning IS fighters walk free, a ‘three-pronged attack’ is being drawn up by Ministers.

It would mean a new Treason Act, a new Espionage Act to track foreign agents and influencers, and a rewriting of the Official Secrets Act ‘to make it fit for the digital era’. Downing Street sources say the PM wants the new measures on the statute books ‘within months rather than years’.

A Government source said: ‘We want to strengthen our response to reduce the threat posed by hostile state activity and make the UK a harder environment for adversaries to operate in.’

The Treason Act will see anyone who swears an allegiance to a foreign power or organisation criminalised if they operate in or attempt to enter the UK. It would close the legal loophole that could see IS converts such as Shamima Begum escape justice if they returned to the UK due to a lack of specific crimes committed domestically. The Espionage Act will create a register of foreign agents operating here as well as clamping down on UK citizens aiding the nation’s enemies.

Many of the measures were drawn up last year by Sajid Javid. The former Home Secretary said: ‘It is crucial that we give the police and security services more legal tools.

‘Too often, it feels as if our laws work against a common sense of justice and security.’

He is also urging more international co-operation by the ‘forces of freedom’.