Russian, Chinese and Iranian spies pose a threat to British security

London/Moscow/Beijing – Security of the United Kingdom is threatened by espionage from Russia, China and Iran. Britain’s intelligence chief, Ken McCallum, warned that the threat is as serious as the threat of terrorism. A few days ago, it was reported that a group of Iranian hackers attacked the University of London and tried to steal information. Against this backdrop, McCallum’s warning becomes significant.

Ken McCallum, head of the British intelligence agency MI5, cautioned the British public at Thames House on Wednesday. McCallum said that there is a threat from terrorists coming from Syria and Afghanistan, but more importantly, there is a need to recognize the threat from Russia, China and Iran. At the same time, he said that we are increasing our capacity to deal with the threats to the United Kingdom. The last two decades have been marked by intelligence agencies focusing more on counter-terrorism operations. McCallum also confessed that the focus of the threats to the country had diminished during this period.

Murders are being carried out in the United Kingdom, and attempts are being made to steal sensitive technology. The intelligence chief pointed out that plots were being hatched to corrupt popular public figures, divide society and attack infrastructure through cyberattacks. McCallum also claimed that MI5 had foiled several plots of murder and other acts in 2018. This happened after a former Russian official and his daughter suffered a chemical attack in the United Kingdom.

The head of MI5 warned that the foreign agencies would carry out activities that would create frustration among the British people or cause problems in their day-to-day dealings. Overseas systems could destroy years of British research and investment, warned intelligence chief Ken McCallum. McCallum also said that it is necessary to educate the British public to become more aware of these threats. The intelligence chief said that the British public has no reason to fear but needs to be mindful of the threats.

For the last few years, the United Kingdom and Russia have been clashing on various issues. A few days ago, tensions between the two countries erupted over the case of the British warship’s mission in Crimea. Earlier in May, Defence Minister Ben Wallace warned that Russia was the number one threat to British security. Last year, Jeremy Fleming, head of GCHQ, Britain’s intelligence and security agency, had warned that China was the biggest threat to Britain. Whereas, a warning from the National Cyber Security Centre noted that Iranian agencies and groups were trying to carry out sabotage and also are trying to steal sensitive information through cyber-attacks.