In your anger, God, bring the nations down.
China has been hacking the mobile phones of senior officials within the UK Prime Minister’s Office for several years, the Daily Telegraph reported, citing sources familiar with the matter. According to the report, state-backed Chinese hackers conducted espionage operations between 2021 and 2024, targeting several of the prime minister’s closest aides. Allies of former prime ministers Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak were among those affected, the newspaper said.
It remains unclear whether the former prime ministers’ own phones were compromised. However, one source told the Telegraph that the hacking had reached “the very heart of Downing Street,” raising concerns that current Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his senior advisers may also have been exposed.
The hacking is believed to be part of a wider global cyber campaign linked to a China-connected hacking group known as “Salt Typhoon.” Last year, law enforcement and intelligence agencies from the United States and 12 allied countries said the group had infiltrated military facilities, transport networks and telecommunications infrastructure in more than 80 countries.
Although the intrusions are believed to have begun in 2021, intelligence agencies reportedly did not identify them until 2024. When the findings were made public last year, the UK government said only that certain activities within Britain had been affected by Salt Typhoon, without providing further details.
It is not known what information Chinese hackers obtained from the officials’ phones. They may have accessed text messages, intercepted phone calls, and collected metadata revealing contact patterns and approximate location data, the report said.
The UK government declined to comment on the allegations. The report comes at a sensitive moment in UK–China relations. It follows Britain’s recent approval of a new Chinese embassy building in London, a project that had been delayed for years over security concerns, and comes just ahead of Prime Minister Starmer’s planned visit to China.
Starmer is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping with a focus on expanding trade and investment ties. Opposition politicians have accused the Labour government of taking a conciliatory stance toward Beijing despite what they describe as hostile actions that threaten Britain’s national security.
Conservative MP Alicia Kearns criticised the government saying: “How much more evidence does this Government need before it ends its simpering to Xi and stands tall as the great country we are and defends us? Labour is rewarding hostile acts against our state.” (Source: Yonhap News, Edited version)
They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps, hoping to take my life. Because of their wickedness do not let them escape; in your anger, God, bring the nations down.(Psalm 56:6-7,NIV)
God, we ask You to rebuke those schemes that have sought to extract information by hacking the phones of senior officials in the UK Prime Minister’s Office in order to exploit political weaknesses. May all who hide and watch, plotting to harm, fall before You in reverent fear of Your righteous anger against sin. Grant that the British government would not respond with ambiguity, but would fear You and faithfully fulfill its responsibility to protect the nation. And through the Church, lead the people of the UK to earnestly seek You—the Lord who guards every step and keeps all paths secure.
Prayer 24·365
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