UK retaliates with sanctions against China over cyberattack on MPs and voters [Video]

The UK has slapped sanctions on China after it accused state-backed hackers of carrying out two “malicious” cyberattacks, including one on Britain’s election watchdog,

Deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden said the “malign” attacks on MPs and the Electoral Commission – during which hackers allegedly accessed the personal details of about 40 million voters – marked a “clear and persistent pattern of behaviour that signals hostile intent from China”.

The Foreign Office will now summon the Chinese ambassador to explain what happened, with Mr Dowden insisting the UK would take “swift and robust actions” against Beijing for any behaviour which targets the UK’s democratic institutions and politicians.

But he stopped short of labelling the country a threat, admitting the UK will “continue to engage” with China on issues such as trade and climate change “when it’s in our national interest”. Cabinet Office minister Sir David …