Russia Report is not detailing interference in political events - rather its damning over the failure by government and spies to even look.
"The written evidence provided to us appeared to suggest that HMG had not seen or
sought evidence of successful interference in UK democratic processes or any activity that
has had a material impact on an election, for example influencing results."
defence of UK democratic process is a 'hot potato' with no one taking the lead - intelligence agencies reluctant for fear of being seen as involved in politics
UK govt took eye off ball with Russia due to focus on counter-terrorism. New laws and tools required. "the arrival of Russian money resulted in a growth industry of enablers – individuals and organisations who manage and lobby for the Russian
elite in the UK"
Spy agencies "do not view themselves as holding primary responsibility for the active defence of the UK’s democratic processes from hostile foreign interference"
ultimately the committee blame the government for not taking responsibility for investigating interference rather than the spies.....spies blamed for none of them taking the lead on the issue of defending democracy and treating issue like a 'hot potato'
The ISC has access to top secret intelligence - but in this case, that might not have mattered given there was not much to find out about Russian interference in the political process because government and the spies had not been looking.
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