Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden receives Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons (House of Commons/British Parliament/Palestinian Authority)
(PA line)
Oliver Dowden is expected to announce sanctions on individuals linked to China after Beijing was accused of carrying out a “malicious” cyber attack on British democracy.
The deputy prime minister will tell parliament that China is behind a wave of cyberattacks targeting the Electoral Commission as well as 43 MPs and peers, The incident reportedly began in August 2021, but was not identified until October 2022.
Hackers are said to have obtained the names and addresses of anyone registered to vote in the UK between 2014 and 2022.
A senior government source told era: “This is a vicious attack on British democratic institutions. Part of our response to this is to point it out and attribute it in a very public way.”
British Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron is expected to address the 1922 Conservative backbench committee later to warn of the threat posed by China.
He had previously been criticized by members of Congress for his “soft stance” on Beijing after speaking at two investment events related to China’s global infrastructure strategy.
Britain will “use whatever means necessary” to deal with cyber threats
The UK will guard against cyberattacks “at all costs”, a government minister has said, as China is accused of targeting the election watchdog.
Nuclear Secretary Andrew Bowie said he could not comment on speculation about China but told LBC radio: “The fact is that this government has invested a lot of time, money and energy into ensuring our cyber security capabilities Be where they need to be. We have enhanced the powers of our intelligence and security services to be able to deal with these threats.
“We will do whatever it takes to ensure the British people, our democracy, our freedom of speech and our way of life are defended.”
Matt MathersMarch 25, 2024 09:29
Parliamentary security director briefs China hawks
A small group of China-hardline politicians were said to have been summoned by Parliament’s director of security, Alison Giles, for a briefing on alleged cyberattacks by individuals linked to Beijing.
They include former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith, former minister Tim Lawton, crossbench peer Lord Alton and Scottish National Party MP Stuart McDonald, sunday times the report said.
The four are members of the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s pressure group on China, which focuses on issues involving the increasingly assertive Asian power.
It is understood some of those affected are preparing to publicly address the matter together on Monday.
A government spokesman declined to comment on Sunday.
Sir Iain Duncan Smith is one of the most outspoken critics of China in Parliament
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Matt MathersMarch 25, 2024 09:24
Full text: China accused of ‘malicious’ cyber attack on election commission ‘after stealing data of 40 million voters’
Britain is preparing to impose sanctions on those believed to be involved in Chinese state-backed interference after Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden released details about the alleged incident late on Monday.
Matt MathersMarch 25, 2024 09:16
good morning and welcome to The Independent Live political coverage.
China has been accused of launching a “malicious” cyber attack on the UK, and British Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden will later update MPs in the House of Commons on the threat posed by Beijing.
We’ll receive updates on this story and others from Westminster and elsewhere throughout the day.
Stay tuned for all the latest news.
Matt MathersMarch 25, 2024 09:15
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