Intelligence chiefs are to be given sweeping powers to disrupt and target foreign spies living and working in the UK.
The Espionage Bill, drawn up in the wake of the Russian Novichok attack in Salisbury, will aim to clamp down on hostile states’ activities.
The catch-all law will close down legal loopholes to ensure it is always illegal to carry out the covert operation in the UK - in a bid to thwart potential rival powers such as Russia or China.
Work began on the law after Theresa May promised to tackle Russia’s shadowy GRU military intelligence service after the Salisbury nerve attack.
But there were reportedly concerns from some parts of the security community that they lacked the legal framework to pursue individuals involved in activity that was clearly being done in an attempt to aid a foreign power, or disrupt people the UK.
The bill is could give authorities wide-reaching powers similar to the US’s Foreign Agents Registration Act, which forces any agent of a foreign power to disclose themselves and their activities.
On 4 March 2018 former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were poisoned by a Novichok agent in Salisbury.
British intelligence said that Russia was behind the attack - and expelled Russian diplomats.
On 30 June 2018 British nationals Charlie Rowley and Dawn Sturgess were admitted to hospital after they were exposed to the same nerve agent.
Dawn died on 8 July.
