A minister has claimed it’s “possible” Chinese spy balloons have already flown over the UK, as the federal government launches a safety assessment into the menace.
A variety of flying objects have been shot down over North America throughout the previous week, with a fourth taken out by fighter jets on Sunday on the orders of US President Joe Biden.
Beijing has admitted to one of many balloons coming from China, however insisted it was a “civilian airship”.
Politics reside: ‘Possible’ China has flown spy missions over UK
Speaking to Sky News on Monday, transport minister Richard Holden described China as “a hostile state”, including: “We need to be aware of that and the way it acts and behaves… and we’ve got to be really robust in our dealings with China.”
Spy balloons and US tensions with China – be part of our reside Q&A
Asked if spy balloons may have already got flown over the UK, he stated: “It’s possible.
“It’s additionally potential that – and I’d suppose doubtless – that there can be folks from the Chinese authorities attempting to behave as a hostile state.
“We saw it with Russia here in the UK with the Salisbury poisonings and other actions that they’ve taken.”
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Mr Holden added: “I think we’ve got to be realistic about the threat that these countries pose to the UK.
“They’re not concerned about our democratic values, they don’t seem to be concerned about standing up for human rights around the globe.”
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace confirmed on Sunday that the government would be carrying out a security review into spy balloons.
He said he would work with the US and other close partners to look at intelligence and assess the threats they pose.
“The UK and her allies will assessment what these airspace intrusions imply for our safety,” he said.
“This growth is one other signal of how the worldwide menace image is altering for the more serious.”
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Labour’s deputy leader Angela Rayner welcomed the review, telling Sky News: “National safety has obtained to be completely paramount.
“We have to remain vigilant and ensure that our military services and our security services have the support they need to deliver.”
Source: information.sky.com”