Security News > 2024 > March > UK elections are unaffected by China's cyber-interference, says deputy PM

The UK's deputy prime minister, Oliver Dowden, says China has been unsuccessful in its attempts to undermine UK elections.

Separately, UK parliamentarians - many of whom are known for their criticism of Beijing - had their email accounts targeted by a China state-linked group in 2021.

"The malicious activities we have exposed today are indicative of a wider pattern of unacceptable behavior we are seeing from China state-affiliated actors against the UK and around the world," said Paul Chichester, director of operations at the NCSC. "The targeting of our democratic system is unacceptable and the NCSC will continue to call out cyber actors who pose a threat to the institutions and values that underpin our society."

China is among the four main adversaries to the UK and US in cyberspace, with the other three being Russia, Iran, and North Korea.

Cash was an important figure in government, was close to security minister Tom Tugenhdhat, and worked as a liaison for the China Research Group - a committee tasked with thinking about how to deal with the threat of China to the UK. Lawyer Christine Lee was also designated as an individual who had engaged in "Political interference activities" aligned to China by MI5 in 2022.

A report [PDF] from Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee last year branded the UK's approach "Completely inadequate" and one that has allowed China to "Successfully penetrate every sector of the UK's economy." .

News URL

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2024/03/26/uk_elections_are_unaffected_by/