K Inquiry Urged to Include US Interference in Foreign Politics Probe

Published: 19 December 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

The Liberal Democrats have urged the UK government to extend its inquiry into hostile foreign interference to include actions taken by the United States. Party officials argued that the US administration’s overt support for far-right nationalist parties across Europe constitutes clear outside interference. In a detailed letter to communities secretary Steve Reed, who is overseeing the independent review, senior Lib Dem figures highlighted the need for the investigation to address interference beyond Russia and other traditional adversaries.

The letter, signed by Calum Miller, the party’s foreign affairs spokesperson, Lisa Smart, the Cabinet Office spokesperson, and Zöe Franklin, who shadows Reed, emphasised that foreign influence in the UK is a growing concern that requires urgent attention. “Though the impetus for this investigation follows grave concerns about Russia’s penetration of our political system, we must also be clear-eyed about the threat posed by the United States,” the statement read.

Lib Dems pointed to the recent US national security strategy, which described Europe as facing “civilisational erasure” due to migration and European Union integration, and advocated cultivating resistance within the continent. Analysts noted that the language echoed the racist “great replacement” conspiracy theory, warning that several countries risked becoming “majority non-European” while praising patriotic European parties.

Miller stressed that President Trump’s policies directly aim to interfere in European politics, including the UK. “Donald Trump has made it his explicit policy to interfere in European politics and cultivate resistance in the UK and elsewhere,” he said. The Lib Dems warned that failing to include the US administration in the inquiry would leave a serious gap in the nation’s defences against external manipulation.

The scope of the existing review, announced on Tuesday following the jailing of former Reform UK figure Nathan Gill, has largely focused on Russia and comparable hostile states, particularly concerning financial influence and other forms of political interference. Lib Dems believe that limiting the inquiry to traditional adversaries risks overlooking new and evolving threats posed by allies who pursue nationalist agendas abroad.

During Trump’s second state visit to the UK in September, Lib Dem leader Ed Davey boycotted a state banquet hosted by King Charles in protest at what he described as the administration’s failure to intervene decisively in the Gaza conflict. Davey’s actions highlighted the party’s ongoing concerns regarding US policy and its impact on European and British politics.

The call for inclusion of the US in the inquiry also raises questions about how the UK government will address foreign influence in the context of long-standing alliances. Critics argue that ignoring interference by a powerful ally could undermine public confidence in the integrity of UK democratic institutions. The Lib Dems’ letter urged the government to commit unequivocally to including President Trump and his associates in the investigation, warning that anything less would represent a significant oversight.

Political observers have noted that the Lib Dems’ push coincides with heightened scrutiny of global interference in democratic processes, particularly in light of disinformation campaigns and financial influence from abroad. Analysts say the move may force the government to adopt a more rigorous framework to investigate and counteract political manipulation, ensuring British politics remains sovereign and free from external pressure.

While Russia remains the central focus due to its long-documented interference activities, including cyberattacks and political donations, the Lib Dems insist that emerging threats from other global powers demand equal attention. Their argument stresses that a comprehensive approach to foreign interference should not differentiate between adversarial or allied states if their actions undermine democratic governance.

The party has also highlighted that the US strategy explicitly encourages support for nationalist parties, which could distort domestic politics and public discourse in Europe. By framing this as interference rather than diplomatic engagement, the Lib Dems hope to establish a precedent for more inclusive investigations. They argue this will strengthen the UK’s resilience against political manipulation while holding all foreign actors accountable.

In conclusion, the Liberal Democrats’ appeal for inclusion of the US in the foreign interference inquiry underscores an intensifying debate about the boundaries of acceptable influence from allied nations. It reflects broader concerns over the preservation of democratic integrity in an increasingly interconnected and politically volatile international landscape. With the government expected to respond, observers will closely monitor whether the inquiry expands its remit to reflect these evolving threats.