Independent reviewer says need to protect against online threats is now as important as need for robust armed forces
The UK’s independent reviewer of terrorism laws has criticised the government’s latest national security strategy for failing to take online threats more seriously, despite Keir Starmer claiming it would result in “a hardening and sharpening of our approach” in the face of Russian menace.
Jonathan Hall KC said it was “a very surprising omission” that the 2025 national security strategy did not focus more on online risks, including from terrorists and hostile states, which he said were now a “major vector of threat”.
Hall said the need to protect the country against online threats – with digital channels being employed widely by terrorists and states – was now little different from the need for robust air, naval and land forces. The adviser, appointed by the home secretary, was speaking before a speech on Tuesday in which he is expected to say that not dwelling more on the implications of online threats to national security “is a gross error”.
Hall, who has been the reviewer of terrorism legislation for six years, said that almost all terrorism in the UK starts online.
