MI5 directors who plotted IRGC ‘terror’ ban exposed in leaked emails

MI5 directors who plotted the UK's decision to label the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist group were revealed through leaked internal communications reviewed by The Grayzone. The documents expose a covert campaign led by current and former MI5 leaders to influence British policymakers and justify expanded surveillance powers under the National Security Act. On July 13, the UK government, led by former Prime Minister Keir Starmer, officially designated the IRGC as a terrorist organization, citing alleged kidnappings and assassination plots. This classification carries severe legal consequences, including potential imprisonment for up to 14 years for individuals sharing Iranian-provided casualty data. The leaked emails, obtained by The Grayzone, detail how MI5 officials, including current Director General Ken McCallum and former Director General Baroness Eliza Manningham-Buller, worked behind closed doors to secure support for the designation. The initiative began in 2023, with McCallum and Manningham-Buller coordinating efforts to align the Labour Party’s Shadow Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, with the broader strategy. Their goal was to position the IRGC as a credible threat, thereby justifying the application of the National Security Act, which allows for broad restrictions on free speech and assembly. McCallum acknowledged in private discussions that while the direct operational benefits of designating the IRGC as a terrorist group were likely modest, he still viewed the move as “sensible to contemplate.” He further suggested extending such measures to other groups, including the defunct Russian private military company Wagner. This approach reflects a pattern of expanding the scope of national security threats beyond traditional adversaries, often using vague or unverified claims to justify increased state control. The coordination between MI5 and Labour’s shadow cabinet was part of a broader effort to prepare the opposition for governance. In early 2023, Labour’s former Cabinet Secretary, Gus O’Donnell, reached out to Manningham-Buller, expressing concerns over the lack of collaboration between Starmer’s team and intelligence agencies. O’Donnell noted that Starmer’s office was focused primarily on winning elections, rather than engaging with intelligence professionals. He urged Manningham-Buller to assist in bridging this gap. Manningham-Buller passed the message to McCallum, who had previously discussed similar ideas with Yvette Cooper during private meetings. McCallum emphasized the importance of helping Labour’s leadership understand the inner workings of Whitehall, particularly the role of intelligence services. His response indicated a strategic intent to embed MI5 insights within the incoming government, ensuring continued influence over policy decisions. Further exchanges between McCallum and O’Donnell revealed the depth of their coordination. They discussed how MI5 could provide critical information to Labour’s leadership, shaping its approach to national security issues. These interactions suggest a deliberate effort to maintain MI5’s relevance and authority even after the Labour Party assumed power. The implications of these revelations extend beyond the immediate designation of the IRGC. They highlight a growing trend of intelligence agencies leveraging political transitions to expand their influence and justify greater powers. With Starmer’s government increasingly reliant on intelligence assessments, there are concerns that such practices could lead to the erosion of civil liberties and the targeting of domestic dissenters. As the UK continues to navigate complex geopolitical tensions, the role of MI5 in shaping policy remains a subject of intense scrutiny.