Overview
- The government says a cyber intrusion at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office was identified in October and remains under investigation.
- Ministers report the vulnerability was closed quickly and describe the issue as a technical problem at one site, with no current indication individuals were harmed.
- Officials have not attributed the attack and call media claims naming China-linked group Storm-1849 unconfirmed and speculative.
- Tabloid reports alleging access to thousands of documents, including visa records, are being challenged by ministers who say they are fairly or pretty confident personal details were not compromised.
- The breach is reviving scrutiny of UK cyber defences and relations with China, with reporting noting a delayed decision on a proposed London embassy and a potential prime ministerial trip to Beijing.