Sunak told to end split over classing IRGC as ‘terror’ group

RISHI SUNAK has been urged to step in to break the Whitehall “deadlock” over whether to proscribe the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The Prime Minister must show that the UK is willing to stand up to Tehran and bring an end to a Cabinet split over whether to declare the group a terrorist organisation.

Suella Braverman, the Home Secretary, has been pushing for the IRGC to be declared a terrorist group, but the Foreign Office is accused of blocking this in order to maintain “access”.

The Telegraph first reported in January that the IRGC was set to be proscribed. But since then talks have halted with James Cleverly, the Foreign Secretary, understood to have raised concerns that pressing ahead with the measure could harm British interests.

However, Bob Blackman, Tory MP, said: “I want the Government to be taking action now to proscribe the IRGC in its entirety.” He added that “firm action” is needed from Downing Street to “end this deadlock” which would be “in the best interests of the British people”.

Alicia Kearns, chairman of the foreign affairs select committee, said: “We do need to send a signal to the Iranians that we won’t accept their activities on British soil.”

Greg Smith, a Tory MP, said the evidence is “mounting and mounting” when it comes to proscribing the IRGC, adding: “How much more evidence do we need to do something? Downing Street will have to make a decision. It has got to be a crunch point.” Officials have been building the case against the IRGC, with the security services understood to have shared intelligence.

Proscribing the group means it would become a criminal offence to belong to the IRGC, attend its meetings, carry its logo in public or encourage support of its activities.

Ken McCallum, the MI5 directorgeneral, highlighted the Iranian regime’s threats to the UK in a speech last November that included detailing past plots.