Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden is set to make a significant announcement in parliament regarding sanctions on individuals linked to China. This comes after Beijing was accused of carrying out “malign” cyberattacks on UK democracy, targeting the Electoral Commission, as well as 43 MPs and peers.
The cyberattacks, which reportedly began in August 2021 but were only identified in October 2022, allowed hackers to access the names and addresses of anyone in Britain who was registered to vote between 2014 and 2022. A senior government source described this as a “malign attack on Britain’s democratic institutions” and emphasized the need to publicly attribute it to China.
Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron is expected to address the 1922 Committee of Conservative backbenchers to warn of the threat posed by China. This comes after criticism of his previous “soft stance” on Beijing, particularly in light of his involvement in investment events linked to China’s global infrastructure strategy.
The UK government is taking a firm stance against cyber threats, with Nuclear Minister Andrew Bowie stating that they will “stop at nothing” to protect against such attacks. A group of politicians who are known for their hawkish views on China have also been called to a briefing by parliament’s director of security in relation to the alleged cyberattacks.
Overall, the UK is gearing up to sanction those believed to be involved in Chinese state-backed interference, as the government seeks to address and counter the cyber threat posed by Beijing. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.