Britain's Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said that the UK would not sell arms to Israel if it breaches international law in Gaza. The statement comes at a time when UK minister is being pressed to disclose the legal counsel they have been given over the continuation of military sales to Israel.&nbsp;

When asked, "If the Government would stop arms sales if it received legal advice that Israel was in breach of international humanitarian law," on&nbsp;the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg, Dowden replied, “If it is the case that we can’t lawfully, in accordance with the Act do so, of course we won’t supply those arms, but that is precisely the position, for example, even in respect of the United States or any other country around the world."

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“And it contrasts so strongly, our adherence to very high values, with the appalling atrocities that have been committed by terrorist organisations against Israel,” he added.

There has been a split in the UK cabinet on the matter of arms sales to Israel. British Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron wrote in Sunday Times, “Of course our backing is not unconditional: we expect such a proud and successful democracy to abide by international humanitarian law, even when challenged in this way. As an occupying power, Israel has a responsibility to the people of Gaza.”

This comes after the killings of three British aid workers John Chapman, 57, James “Jim” Henderson, 33, and James Kirby, 47 on April 1 by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF).&nbsp;

Sunday (April 7) marks six months since the October 7 attack in which Hamas militants attacked southern Israel which left about 1,200 dead. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Britain's Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said that the UK would not sell arms to Israel if it breaches international law in Gaza. The statement comes at a time when UK minister is being pressed to disclose the legal counsel they have been given over the continuation of military sales to Israel.

Britain's Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden said that the UK would not sell arms to Israel if it breaches international law in Gaza. The statement comes at a time when UK minister is being pressed to disclose the legal counsel they have been given over the continuation of military sales to Israel. When asked, "If the Government would stop arms sales if it received legal advice that Israel was in breach of international humanitarian law," on the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg, Dowden replied, “If it is the case that we can’t lawfully, in accordance with the Act do so, of course we won’t supply those arms, but that is precisely the position, for example, even in respect of the United States or any other country around the world." Also read | Explained: Between killed, killers and captives, Gaza completes a semester of war “And it contrasts so strongly, our adherence to very high values, with the appalling atrocities that have been committed by terrorist organisations against Israel,” he added. There has been a split in the UK cabinet on the matter of arms sales to Israel. British Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron wrote in Sunday Times, “Of course our backing is not unconditional: we expect such a proud and successful democracy to abide by international humanitarian law, even when challenged in this way. As an occupying power, Israel has a responsibility to the people of Gaza.” This comes after the killings of three British aid workers John Chapman, 57, James “Jim” Henderson, 33, and James Kirby, 47 on April 1 by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF). Sunday (April 7) marks six months since the October 7 attack in which Hamas militants attacked southern Israel which left about 1,200 dead. (With inputs from agencies)

UK will halt arms sales to Israel if it breaches international law in Gaza: UK Deputy Prime Minister

British Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden tells lawmakers that entities linked to the Chinese government were behind the alleged accessing of the personal details of 40 million UK voters and cyberattacks on lawmakers critical of China.

UK Deputy PM blames China for cyber-attack on election commission

Former British Conservative Party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith urged the government on Monday (Mar 25)&nbsp;to classify China as "a threat." Duncan Smith, along with two other lawmakers, informed reporters at a press briefing that they have faced harassment, impersonation, and attempted hacking from China for a period of time.

Duncan Smith cited an instance where hackers impersonating him used&nbsp;fraudulent email addresses to correspond with his contacts. These politicians are affiliated with the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, an international advocacy group dedicated to opposing Beijing's expanding influence and highlighting purported human rights violations by the Chinese government.

The United Kingdom (UK) is all set to give details of a cyber security threat that it says is posed by China. British Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden is due to make a statement on the issue to parliament, a government official told the news agency Reuters. The official declined to confirm whether Deputy Prime Minister Dowden would announce reprisals including sanctions.

The expected development comes as there have been growing fears about China’s alleged espionage activity in the UK, especially when a researcher at the British Parliament was arrested last year on suspicion of spying for China.&nbsp;

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The researcher, who was involved in international affairs issues, had access to several Conservative MPs, a report by the Sunday Times said. The researcher had access to security minister Tom Tugendhat and foreign affairs committee chairwoman Alicia Kearns, among others, the report added.

Ahead of Dowden's statement in Parliament, British media reported that the government is expected to blame Beijing for a hack on the country's Electoral Commission in 2021.&nbsp;

Also watch |&nbsp;Sixth member of 'Russian spy ring' in Britain is charged with espionage

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In 2023, the government said that Chinese spies were targeting British officials in sensitive positions in politics, defence, and business as part of an increasingly sophisticated spying operation to gain access to secrets.

Meanwhile, the Chinese embassy in the UK accused London of "making groundless accusations" when the head of MI5 accused China of carrying out an espionage campaign on an "epic scale."

(With inputs from agencies)

Former British Conservative Party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith urged the government on Monday (Mar 25) to classify China as "a threat." Duncan Smith, along with two other lawmakers, informed reporters at a press briefing that they have faced harassment, impersonation, and attempted hacking from China for a period of time.

Former British Conservative Party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith urged the government on Monday (Mar 25) to classify China as "a threat." Duncan Smith, along with two other lawmakers, informed reporters at a press briefing that they have faced harassment, impersonation, and attempted hacking from China for a period of time. Duncan Smith cited an instance where hackers impersonating him used fraudulent email addresses to correspond with his contacts. These politicians are affiliated with the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, an international advocacy group dedicated to opposing Beijing's expanding influence and highlighting purported human rights violations by the Chinese government. The United Kingdom (UK) is all set to give details of a cyber security threat that it says is posed by China. British Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden is due to make a statement on the issue to parliament, a government official told the news agency Reuters. The official declined to confirm whether Deputy Prime Minister Dowden would announce reprisals including sanctions. The expected development comes as there have been growing fears about China’s alleged espionage activity in the UK, especially when a researcher at the British Parliament was arrested last year on suspicion of spying for China. Also read | UK's defence ministry urged to ban TikTok amid fears of Chinese espionage: Report The researcher, who was involved in international affairs issues, had access to several Conservative MPs, a report by the Sunday Times said. The researcher had access to security minister Tom Tugendhat and foreign affairs committee chairwoman Alicia Kearns, among others, the report added. Ahead of Dowden's statement in Parliament, British media reported that the government is expected to blame Beijing for a hack on the country's Electoral Commission in 2021. Also watch | Sixth member of 'Russian spy ring' in Britain is charged with espionage × In 2023, the government said that Chinese spies were targeting British officials in sensitive positions in politics, defence, and business as part of an increasingly sophisticated spying operation to gain access to secrets. Meanwhile, the Chinese embassy in the UK accused London of "making groundless accusations" when the head of MI5 accused China of carrying out an espionage campaign on an "epic scale." (With inputs from agencies)

UK to give details of cyber security threat it says is posed by China

UK Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden has launched a global push to protect elections from Artificial Intelligence and misinformation ahead of summit for democracy.

UK Deputy PM's push to protect polls from AI | Dowden calls for global move

Oliver Dowden was appointed deputy prime minister by the British government on Friday, taking the place of Dominic Raab, who resigned earlier in the day after a study into allegations that he had abused employees.

Oliver Dowden named UK deputy pm after Dominic Raab's resignation

The British government has instructed its various departments to not install surveillance cameras manufactured by Chinese firms at its buildings. The decision was taken amid reports of security risks posed by such companies as part of a cyber tactic adopted by China. Cabinet Office minister Oliver Dowden said in a written statement to parliament that the decision was taken following a review of&nbsp;"current and future possible security risks associated with the installation of visual surveillance systems on the government estate."&nbsp;

"The review has concluded that, in light of the threat to the UK and the increasing capability and connectivity of these systems, additional controls are required," Dowden said, according to Reuters.&nbsp;

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The United States has already implemented such a ban as the government organisations were ordered not to use any cameras made by Hikvision, Dahua, and other Chinese firms. The two Chinese firms — Hikvision and Dahua — have long been accused of enjoying special treatment from the Chinese government and in the past few months, several politicians in the UK asked for a blanket ban.&nbsp;

According to Sky News, the review submitted by Dowden stated, "Departments have therefore been instructed to cease deployment of such equipment onto sensitive sites, where it is produced by companies subject to the National Intelligence Law of the People’s Republic of China."&nbsp;

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"Since security considerations are always paramount around these sites, we are taking action now to prevent any security risks materialising," the statement sent to the parliament added.&nbsp;

The existing cameras made by these companies will immediately be taken down from the government facilities and the departments have also been instructed to disconnect them from all systems.&nbsp;

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The British government has instructed its various departments to not install surveillance cameras manufactured by Chinese firms at its buildings. The decision was taken amid reports of security risks posed by such companies as part of a cyber tactic adopted by China.

The British government has instructed its various departments to not install surveillance cameras manufactured by Chinese firms at its buildings. The decision was taken amid reports of security risks posed by such companies as part of a cyber tactic adopted by China. Cabinet Office minister Oliver Dowden said in a written statement to parliament that the decision was taken following a review of "current and future possible security risks associated with the installation of visual surveillance systems on the government estate." "The review has concluded that, in light of the threat to the UK and the increasing capability and connectivity of these systems, additional controls are required," Dowden said, according to Reuters. Also read | Russia blames 'foreign and Ukrainian air defence' systems for damages in Kyiv The United States has already implemented such a ban as the government organisations were ordered not to use any cameras made by Hikvision, Dahua, and other Chinese firms. The two Chinese firms — Hikvision and Dahua — have long been accused of enjoying special treatment from the Chinese government and in the past few months, several politicians in the UK asked for a blanket ban. According to Sky News, the review submitted by Dowden stated, "Departments have therefore been instructed to cease deployment of such equipment onto sensitive sites, where it is produced by companies subject to the National Intelligence Law of the People’s Republic of China." Also read | European Union fails to agree on gas price cap, members to deliberate again next month "Since security considerations are always paramount around these sites, we are taking action now to prevent any security risks materialising," the statement sent to the parliament added. The existing cameras made by these companies will immediately be taken down from the government facilities and the departments have also been instructed to disconnect them from all systems.

UK restricts Chinese-make cameras in government buildings over security concerns

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