A Bill to prohibit covert human intelligence sources from entering into or maintaining intimate sexual relationships with persons who are the subject of surveillance or investigation; and for connected purposes.
House of Lords
3 June 2026
May contain errors — check source documents for definitive information.
The bill would make it a criminal offence for covert human intelligence sources (CHIS) to enter into or maintain intimate sexual relationships with people they target or encounter during deployment, with a potential life sentence on conviction. It also allows anonymity orders for CHIS charged in certain agencies and requires authorities to monitor CHIS conduct and be candid with investigations, while prohibiting such conduct from being authorised under surveillance laws. The rule uses the Sexual Offences Act 2003 to define “intimate sexual relationship” and would apply UK-wide from day one after passage.
As of the Lords, the bill has completed its 1st reading and is at the 2nd reading stage. The publicly documented trail shows no amendments or committee-stage recommendations yet.
Generated 3 June 2026
2 Jun 2026
First reading took place on 2 June. This stage is a formality that signals the start of the bill's journey through the Lords.
What happens next?
Second reading - the general debate on all aspects of the bill - is yet to be scheduled.
This bill would make it a criminal offence for covert human intelligence sources (CHIS) to enter into or maintain intimate sexual relationships with people they target or encounter during deployment. The offence could carry life imprisonment; the bill also allows defendant anonymity orders for CHIS charged in certain agencies and requires authorities to monitor CHIS conduct and be candid with investigations. It defines 'intimate sexual relationship' by the Sexual Offences Act 2003, prohibits such conduct from being authorised under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, and applies across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland from the day the bill passes.
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
