Britain launches urgent security warning as China’s spy balloons continue to threat UK

The UK has launched a security review in response to the invasion of Chinese sky balloons into Western airspace, according to the Defence Secretary.

Ben Wallace will coordinate with allies, including the United States, to analyse intelligence and the dangers of the balloons.

The security review will be used to assist the UK in determining whether any changes to the surveillance of British airspace are required.

It comes as MPs warn that balloons may have already crossed the UK, which the defence secretary has not ruled out.

In less than a week, the US has shot down four suspected spy balloons, raising concerns about China’s threat.

Wallace said: “The UK and her allies will review what these airspace intrusions mean for our security. This development is another sign of how the global threat picture is changing for the worse.”

The White House claimed last week that Chinese balloons had been seen over five continents, but did not specify where.

After being spotted over military installations in North Carolina, the first balloon was shot down last Saturday.

Another was seen over Alaska and shot down on Friday, and a third was destroyed over the Canadian province of Yukon on Saturday.

The review comes at a time when Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is under increasing pressure to take a tougher stance against China.

Sir Iain Duncan Smith, a former Tory leader, has urged the government to stop “kowtowing” to Beijing.

Duncan Smith has slammed the Foreign Office for inviting the governor of Xinjiang province to a meeting despite allegations of Uiygur human rights violations.

“China looks at us and sees we are weak,” he said, urging the government to “come clean” about whether spy balloons have been spotted over the UK.

“It’s absurd for Rishi Sunak to say when he’s running for president that he wants to characterise China as a strategic threat, but then say it’s just a strategic challenge.”

RELATED ARTICLE
Army on terror standby as Met Police officers hand in their guns