UK government hacked, China suspected
Sir Keir Starmer faced criticism for allegedly “kowtowing to China at every opportunity” following revelations that a significant hack of Foreign Office servers was linked to Beijing, reports BritPanorama.
The incident, which occurred in October, involved a breach by a hostile actor but was reportedly downplayed by government officials. The cybersecurity breach has raised concerns about national security and the effectiveness of the current administration in countering foreign threats.
It is believed that the cyber gang Storm 1849, which has ties to China, orchestrated the breach. Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel condemned Starmer, asserting that he “cannot be trusted to protect our national interest.” She stated, “China undermines our security, institutions and democracy but Labour is failing to protect Britain from China’s foreign interference in our country.”
Shadow Housing Secretary James Cleverly echoed her concerns, emphasizing the ongoing risk posed by state-sponsored hackers from countries like Russia, China, and Iran. He highlighted the increasing frequency of targets within the UK, reiterating the need for constant vigilance.
This morning, Trade Minister Chris Bryant confirmed the occurrence of a hack but refrained from directly attributing it to China. He stated, “I’m not able to say whether it is directly related to Chinese operatives or indeed the Chinese state.” Bryant noted that investigations had been ongoing since October, while also addressing claims regarding compromised information connected to Home Office visas.
Government officials assured the public that the security and integrity of systems are taken very seriously. Storm 1849 has been identified by Western intelligence as part of China’s broader cyber-espionage network, having previously targeted politicians and organizations critical of the Chinese government.
The group came under public scrutiny in March 2024 when the UK government officially accused China of various cyber-attacks, including one that accessed personal data of over 40 million voters.
The news comes as Starmer is set to embark on a controversial visit to China in late January, the first by a UK leader since Theresa May in 2018. The trip aims to strengthen economic ties with China amid ongoing espionage concerns. Contextually, the backdrop includes unresolved issues like a collapsed spy trial and deliberations regarding a new Chinese embassy in London.
Ministers have delayed decisions on the location and security implications of this embassy, expected to be sanctioned following advice from MI5 amidst warnings about Beijing’s extensive espionage efforts targeting British interests.
Recent actions have highlighted that Chinese spies are targeting Westminster, reportedly offering financial incentives for low-level information, as part of a strategy to cultivate relationships and gain access to sensitive data.
The increasing sophistication of state-sponsored cyber threats poses ongoing challenges for the UK’s national security framework, requiring robust countermeasures and strategic policy responses.
As the landscape of international relations evolves, both the response to external threats and internal political narratives surrounding them will be critical areas of scrutiny for the UK government.
