New revelations suggest that China may have gained access to sensitive UK government information for years through a backdoor into Whitehall computer systems.
The shocking claims came to light as former No.10 adviser Dominic Cummings described the episode as a serious national security failure.
How China Allegedly Gained Access
According to reports, the Chinese were able to purchase a company that controlled a crucial data hub used by UK government departments to exchange information.
This hub reportedly handled sensitive, though not top-secret, materials related to government projects.
Cummings warned that the breach allowed China to access “vast amounts” of highly classified material, raising serious concerns about the UK’s digital security infrastructure.
Cummings Sounds the Alarm
Dominic Cummings, Boris Johnson’s former chief adviser, described the incident as part of a long-standing pattern where the British state allegedly prioritized Chinese investment over security.
He recounted a briefing in 2020 where then-Cabinet Secretary Sir Mark Sedwill explained how China had penetrated critical government infrastructure, leaving Johnson and Rishi Sunak visibly stunned.
Cummings stressed that the files accessed included extremely sensitive material from intelligence services and the Cabinet Office, warning that the compromise could have far-reaching implications.
Political Fallout and Spy Case Controversy
The revelation comes amid ongoing scrutiny of the UK government’s handling of a collapsed case against two men accused of spying for China, including former parliamentary researcher Chris Cash.
Charges were dropped after a national security advisor refused to classify China as an enemy of the UK, complicating prosecution under the Official Secrets Act.
Cummings and other officials have criticized what they describe as a deliberate cover-up by Whitehall, although government sources insist that the hub’s data remained encrypted and was not “hacked” in the traditional sense.
Government Response and Legal Safeguards
The government has pointed to the National Security and Investment Act 2021, which came into effect in January 2022, as a safeguard to prevent similar incidents.
This legislation allows officials to scrutinize and intervene in business transactions that could pose national security risks.
Former ministers, including Tom Tugendhat, publicly supported Cummings’ claims, while others like Sir Ben Wallace stressed that ambiguity about security breaches is often necessary to protect ongoing intelligence operations.
Concerns Over China’s Presence in the UK
The controversy has intensified calls for caution in UK-China relations, particularly regarding trade and diplomatic projects.
Tory MP Alicia Kearns and Parliament’s joint committee on national security strategy warned that allowing China to build a new mega-embassy in London could create opportunities for espionage, given its proximity to sensitive fibre-optic cables and data centres.
Labour committee chair Matt Western echoed these concerns, noting that basement rooms and tunnel plans could serve intelligence purposes, while the government insisted the proposed embassy would undergo full scrutiny.
Prime Minister Under Pressure
During heated Commons debates, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer denied government involvement in the collapsed spy case but acknowledged the public interest in transparency.
Downing Street confirmed that the PM was informed “a couple of days” before the case fell apart but did not intervene, leaving responsibility with the CPS.
The episode has reignited debate over the UK’s approach to China, digital security protocols, and whether previous administrations may have inadvertently allowed sensitive data to be exposed.