Former security adviser warns of Russian threat to Britain

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 17 Oct, 11:44 · Archive

A former national security adviser has warned that Russia poses an immediate threat to the UK through cyber-attacks on key infrastructure.

Lord Peter Ricketts, a former national security adviser to David Cameron and former top civil servant in the Foreign Office, has warned that ministers must be more honest with the British public about the threat posed by Russia. He said the threat from 'hybrid attacks' by Vladimir Putin's forces could soon lead to deaths, describing such attacks as 'getting more reckless, more dangerous'.

Ricketts called for greater resilience and investment in protecting banking, energy and water systems from Kremlin cyber-assaults. Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he said: 'I think they've really got to start a conversation with the British people about what may be coming, because not only is Putin trying to break morale in Ukraine, he's also trying to undermine morale in European countries.'

His warning follows a week of alerts from senior security figures. On Tuesday, Sir Ken McCallum, the head of MI5, said the agency was devoting more resources to combating threats from hostile states than during the Cold War and described Russia as the 'number one aggressor'. On Friday, General Sir Roly Walker, head of the Army, told troops at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire that politicians would soon need a 'frank conversation' about defence and security priorities.

Ricketts also dismissed suggestions by Andy Burnham that the UK could be a 'bridge' between the United States and Ukraine, as relations between the two countries deteriorated this week following Donald Trump's decision to waive economic sanctions on Russia.

How it is being reported

• Ex-national security adviser issues warning amid fraying US-Ukraine relationshipLord Peter Ricketts said ministers must do more to warn the public about the Russian threat.Evening Standard · 17 Oct, 12:27
• Ministers must be honest about Russian threat to UK, says former Foreign Office headPeter Ricketts called for more resilience in protecting banking, energy and water systems from cyber-assaults Ministers need to be honest with the British public about the immediate threat posed by Russia, which could soon lead to lives being lost, a former national security adviser has said. Peter Ricketts, who advised David Cameron when he was prime minister, became the latest figure to warn about the scale of the threat posed by “hybrid attacks” from Vladimir Putin’s forces. Continue reading...Guardian World · 17 Oct, 11:19
• Ex-national security adviser issues warning amid fraying US-Ukraine relationshipLord Peter Ricketts said ministers must do more to warn the public about the Russian threat.Evening Standard · 17 Oct, 09:20

In this story: Lord Peter Ricketts · Vladimir Putin · Sir Ken McCallum · General Sir Roly Walker · Andy Burnham · Donald Trump · UK · Russia

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