Russia is inflaming the debate on immigration in Britain as part of “increasing ambitions to disrupt our way of life”, counter-terror police leaders and experts have warned.
Using a combination of intelligence agencies, paid agents and covert influence tactics on social media, the Kremlin is said to be intensifying efforts to spark division and deepen distrust in the UK government and institutions.
Laurence Taylor, the head of UK Counter Terrorism Policing, warned that the interference was being felt at a time when the threat from extreme right-wing terrorism driven by “anti-immigration sentiment” was rising.
“It’s our belief that polarised views in society are having a direct impact on that increased threat,” he told a press conference last week. “We are seeing what we would describe as wedge tactics from foreign states who will be looking at opportunities to create division in our communities.”
Vicki Evans, the Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, said the activity was part of the Kremlin’s “increasing ambitions to disrupt our way of life”.
