No Violation Found in UK’s Response to 2019 Election Interference Allegations
The European Court of Human Rights ruled unanimously on July 22, 2025, that the UK did not violate the right to free elections despite allegations of Russian interference in the 2019 general election.
British MPs Ben Bradshaw, Caroline Lucas, and Alyn Smith argued the government failed to investigate credible reports of Russian disinformation and influence campaigns, citing parliamentary inquiries from 2019 and 2020.
The court acknowledged initial UK shortcomings but praised subsequent measures, including the Elections Act 2022, National Security Act 2023, and the Counter Disinformation Unit, as sufficient to protect democratic integrity.
The ruling highlights the global challenge of combating election interference while safeguarding free speech.
The decision’s high threshold for violations may limit accountability for future electoral threats, raising questions about democratic resilience in the digital age, critics warns.
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