Democracy Shield MEPs visited London this week to exchange experiences in combating foreign interference and to discuss the legislative responses of both the UK and the EU.

The delegation met with representatives of the UK Home Office, the National Cyber Security Centre, members of the House of Commons and House of Lords.

MEPs also discussed online safety, disinformation and media literacy with the BBC and the Office of Communications (Ofcom) over the course of two days.

After the visit, the Chair of the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield (EUDS) and head of the delegation, Nathalie Loiseau (Renew, FR), said:

“The UK and EU share the same sense of urgency to defend our democracies;
we also share the same objectives - strong democratic processes and improved resilience.

We must respond to the information war and attacks waged by common adversaries against our democracies - also by strengthening our citizens’ trust. “

Composition of the delegation

EUDS Chair and delegation head Nathalie Loiseau (Renew, FR) was accompanied by rapporteur Tomas Tobé (EPP, SE), Ana Catarina Mendes (S&D, PT), Cynthia Ni Mhurchu (Renew, IE), and Sandro Gozi (Renew, FR) in his capacity as Chair of the European Parliament delegation to the UK.

Background

In recent years, in the light of increasing and ever more sophisticated threats to security from malign foreign actors, the UK has ramped up its national response.

This has included the 2023 National Security Act to counter state threats and criminalise foreign interference, the 2022-2030 cybersecurity strategy, and an Online Safety Act (comparable to the EU’s Digital Services Act).

( Redazione )