Putin and Xi could be targeting ministers

Fears of Chinese and Russian spies are targeting ministers has led to a tightening of Westminster security and vetting according to the i. Those employed to work alongside ministers will be vetted for connections to ‘hostile state actors’ such as China and Russia as the Government seeks to beef up its defence against espionage.The changes will apply to civil servants and contractors and will mean that for the first time the threat from hostile state actors will be taken into account alongside the risk of terrorism.Those working alongside the Prime Minister and ministers will need to pass these vetting checks before they can access top officials or view secret documents.It comes after it was revealed that former Prime Miniate Liz Truss’s phone had been hacked by Russian spies.Although the changes are not the result of the hacking of Ms Truss’s phone they underline the seriousness of the threat that the Government believes hostile state actors pose. Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping in Uzbekistan in September (Image: Getty Images ) Liz Truss resigning as Prime Minister last month (Image: Getty Images )They do reflect fears that Chinese and Russian spies could directly target ministers.There are currently five levels of vetting for people working in Government or at sensitive sites.These include a baseline check, accreditation check, counter-terrorist check, security check and developed vetting.Developed vetting is the most in-depth procedure and allows people to gain access to top secret documents or deal with matters of national security.READ MORE: ‘He wanted Corbyn as PM!’ Sunak humiliates Starmer with his own wordsThe whole world was listening in to Liz Truss’s phone. However there is talk that other ministers phones have also been hacked.https://t.co/yca8fHJ5f4- Persona non grata������������������������������������������������ (@Silverfox6158) November 2, 2022 Says a lot for the wretched state of Russia’s FSB that they hoped to gain “intelligence” by looking at Liz Truss’s phone.- Otto English (@Otto_English) October 30, 2022 The counter-terrorist check gives individuals clearance to work with ministers who are at ‘particular risk from terrorist attack’.They are also able to gain access to ‘information or material assessed to be of value to terrorists’.This level of clearance gives people access to certain military or civil sites which might be assessed to be at risk from a terror attack.On Monday, the counter terrorist check was extended to include people working with public figures who are also at risk from ‘hostile state actors’.DON’T MISS: Braverman defended as ‘one of the few heroes’ in Sunak’s Government [REVEAL] Brexit breakthrough hopes as EU ‘recognise need to go further’ on deal [INSIGHT] Seven-day blackouts emergency move planned if Putin strikes pipeline [SPOTLIGHT] It is believed that Russian backed hackers gained access to nearly all information on Liz Truss’s phone, including a year’s worth of messages. Sources say the phone was ‘so heavily compromised’ it has now been placed in a ‘locked safe inside a secure government location’. pic.twitter.com/qQ9HbB0KaZ- Dr. Jennifer Cassidy (@OxfordDiplomat) October 29, 2022 Known as Level 1B it also includes those who deal with material that might be valuable to these hostile states and allow them to visit sites unescorted that are at risk from such threats.Conservative MP, Bob Seely, a member of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee praised the move.He said: “It’s a move in the right direction.”It should have happened years ago but I am delighted that this Government is now taking action.”A Cabinet Office spokesperson said the new scheme was part of a “modernisation” programme.”The new vetting Level 1B clearance is part of the wider Cabinet Office vetting modernisation programme of work, which makes greater use of automation and data checks to deliver national security vetting.”The new level builds upon the existing CTC clearance to enable appropriate checks on employees; ensuring the Government, and its staff, remain protected.’