world, saying that i had recanted my views and also saying that basically i was a liar, all these sorts of things, to various people. i only came to know about it because i know some of them and they were sending these back to me saying, why are you sending me e—mails recanting and basically calling yourself a liar? and i was able to explain to them, it is not my e—mail address and it is not me. i won't say what happened, but eventually, he went quiet. we did know where he was in due course. so that's one thing. another thing is, we know many of us have had hacking attempts, some fairly shallow ones, but nonetheless, hacking, and some more serious, so those are the experiences. but i'm not alone in those. of course, you have this whole experience with russia to? i was here about a year ago with russia _ i was here about a year ago with russia where the bit that does not -et russia where the bit that does not get talked about in the parliamentary, the targeting of parliament as the staff front does

not get _ parliament as the staff front does not get talked enough about. when i was targeted by russia are year ago that was_ was targeted by russia are year ago that was via a member of my staff. but i _ that was via a member of my staff. but i want — that was via a member of my staff. but i want to address your point on the scale _ but i want to address your point on the scale of— but i want to address your point on the scale of the challenge. when i talk about— the scale of the challenge. when i talk about the need for a new consensus, this affects every single part of— consensus, this affects every single part of our— consensus, this affects every single part of our society. it would be wrong — part of our society. it would be wrong to — part of our society. it would be wrong to see this as just a far—away foreign _ wrong to see this as just a far—away foreign policy issue. this is about our energy— foreign policy issue. this is about our energy sector, recalling, university, our political system. our critical _ university, our political system. our critical national infrastructure. it goes into everything and if i can tack on to beth's— everything and if i can tack on to beth's question, at least the tories are having — beth's question, at least the tories are having this discussion in robust terms _ are having this discussion in robust terms. politics has a much catching up terms. politics has a much catching up to— terms. politics has a much catching up to d0~ _ terms. politics has a much catching up to d0~ as — terms. politics has a much catching up to do. as industry and businesses further— up to do. as industry and businesses further ahead, up to do. as industry and businesses furtherahead, government up to do. as industry and businesses further ahead, government and politics— further ahead, government and politics in— further ahead, government and politics in general. we are seeing decoupling, howeveryou politics in general. we are seeing decoupling, however you want to phrase _ decoupling, however you want to phrase it — decoupling, however you want to phrase it happening. politics and the institutions of politics need to badly— the institutions of politics need to badly catch up. this will keep happening and it will get worse and

worse _ happening and it will get worse and worse and — happening and it will get worse and worse and we can't let that happen. tomorrow— worse and we can't let that happen. tomorrow is — worse and we can't let that happen. tomorrow is the third anniversary of when _ tomorrow is the third anniversary of when seven— tomorrow is the third anniversary of when seven parliamentarians - tomorrow is the third anniversary of when seven parliamentarians were i when seven parliamentarians were sanctioned — when seven parliamentarians were sanctioned which _ when seven parliamentarians were sanctioned which we _ when seven parliamentarians were sanctioned which we found - when seven parliamentarians were sanctioned which we found out - when seven parliamentarians were sanctioned which we found out out when seven parliamentarians were . sanctioned which we found out out of the blue _ sanctioned which we found out out of the blue we — sanctioned which we found out out of the blue. we were _ sanctioned which we found out out of the blue. we were never— sanctioned which we found out out of the blue. we were never actually- the blue. we were never actually written _ the blue. we were never actually writteh to— the blue. we were never actually written to individually _ the blue. we were never actually written to individually by - the blue. we were never actually written to individually by the - written to individually by the chinese _ written to individually by the chinese communist- written to individually by the chinese communist party. written to individually by the - chinese communist party government saying _ chinese communist party government saying we _ chinese communist party government saying we are — chinese communist party government saying we are dropping _ chinese communist party government saying we are dropping and _ chinese communist party government saying we are dropping and not- chinese communist party government saying we are dropping and not to - saying we are dropping and not to see you _ saying we are dropping and not to see you have _ saying we are dropping and not to see you have been— saying we are dropping and not to see you have been sanctioned. i saying we are dropping and not to| see you have been sanctioned. we were _ see you have been sanctioned. we were told — see you have been sanctioned. we were told irr— see you have been sanctioned. we were told in those, _ see you have been sanctioned. we were told in those, ourselves - see you have been sanctioned. we were told in those, ourselves and i were told in those, ourselves and families— were told in those, ourselves and families unable _ were told in those, ourselves and families unable to _ were told in those, ourselves and families unable to travel - were told in those, ourselves and families unable to travel to - were told in those, ourselves and families unable to travel to china | families unable to travel to china and hohg — families unable to travel to china and hohg kong, _ families unable to travel to china and hong kong, business- families unable to travel to china and hong kong, business assetsl and hong kong, business assets seized. — and hong kong, business assets seized. hot— and hong kong, business assets seized, not able _ and hong kong, business assets seized, not able to _ and hong kong, business assets seized, not able to do _ and hong kong, business assets seized, not able to do businessl seized, not able to do business which _ seized, not able to do business which is — seized, not able to do business which is academic— seized, not able to do business which is academic i— seized, not able to do business which is academic i think- seized, not able to do business which is academic i think for. seized, not able to do business which is academic i think for all seized, not able to do business i which is academic i think for all of us. which is academic i think for all of us over— which is academic i think for all of us 0verthat— which is academic i think for all of us. over that last _ which is academic i think for all of us. over that last three _ which is academic i think for all of us. over that last three years, - us. over that last three years, various— us. over that last three years, various colleagues— us. over that last three years, various colleagues who - us. over that last three years, various colleagues who are - us. over that last three years, | various colleagues who are not us. over that last three years, - various colleagues who are not here have had _ various colleagues who are not here have had hacking _ various colleagues who are not here have had hacking attempts, - various colleagues who are not here have had hacking attempts, i- various colleagues who are not here have had hacking attempts, i am i have had hacking attempts, i am cohstahtiy— have had hacking attempts, i am constantly getting _ have had hacking attempts, i am constantly getting e—mails - have had hacking attempts, i am constantly getting e—mails or- have had hacking attempts, i am - constantly getting e—mails or tweets from someone — constantly getting e—mails or tweets from someone saying _ constantly getting e—mails or tweets from someone saying we _ constantly getting e—mails or tweets from someone saying we have - constantly getting e—mails or tweets i from someone saying we have resigned over the _ from someone saying we have resigned over the policy— from someone saying we have resigned over the policy over— from someone saying we have resigned over the policy over such _ from someone saying we have resigned over the policy over such and _ from someone saying we have resigned over the policy over such and such. - over the policy over such and such. yesterday— over the policy over such and such. yesterday we — over the policy over such and such. yesterday we had _ over the policy over such and such. yesterday we had a _ over the policy over such and such. yesterday we had a tweet - over the policy over such and such. yesterday we had a tweet from - over the policy over such and such. yesterday we had a tweet from the deputy— yesterday we had a tweet from the deputy chairman _ yesterday we had a tweet from the deputy chairman of _ yesterday we had a tweet from the deputy chairman of conservative i deputy chairman of conservative human _ deputy chairman of conservative human rights— deputy chairman of conservative human rights commission - deputy chairman of conservative human rights commission which| deputy chairman of conservative - human rights commission which has also been _

human rights commission which has also been sanctioned, _ human rights commission which has also been sanctioned, pouring - human rights commission which has| also been sanctioned, pouring abuse over the _ also been sanctioned, pouring abuse over the head — also been sanctioned, pouring abuse over the head of— also been sanctioned, pouring abuse over the head of hong _ also been sanctioned, pouring abuse over the head of hong kong. - also been sanctioned, pouring abuse over the head of hong kong. this . over the head of hong kong. this happens — over the head of hong kong. this happens att— over the head of hong kong. this happens all the _ over the head of hong kong. this happens all the time. _ over the head of hong kong. this happens all the time. what - over the head of hong kong. this happens all the time. what we i over the head of hong kong. thisl happens all the time. what we are pa rticuia riy — happens all the time. what we are particularly concerned _ happens all the time. what we are particularly concerned about - happens all the time. what we are i particularly concerned about though is those _ particularly concerned about though is those uyghurs— particularly concerned about though is those uyghurs and _ particularly concerned about though is those uyghurs and tibetans - particularly concerned about though is those uyghurs and tibetans in - is those uyghurs and tibetans in this country— is those uyghurs and tibetans in this country we _ is those uyghurs and tibetans in this country we have _ is those uyghurs and tibetans in this country we have associated i is those uyghurs and tibetans in - this country we have associated with in confidence — this country we have associated with in confidence whose _ this country we have associated with in confidence whose families - this country we have associated with in confidence whose families have i in confidence whose families have then treen— in confidence whose families have then been contacted _ in confidence whose families have then been contacted or— in confidence whose families have then been contacted or threats. then been contacted or threats emanating _ then been contacted or threats emanating out— then been contacted or threats emanating out of— then been contacted or threats emanating out of china - then been contacted or threats emanating out of china to - then been contacted or threats emanating out of china to thel emanating out of china to the famiiies— emanating out of china to the families of— emanating out of china to the families of dissidents - emanating out of china to the families of dissidents back. emanating out of china to the families of dissidents back at| emanating out of china to the - families of dissidents back at home and they— families of dissidents back at home and they as — families of dissidents back at home and they as we _ families of dissidents back at home and they as we put _ families of dissidents back at home and they as we put in _ families of dissidents back at home and they as we put in the _ families of dissidents back at home i and they as we put in the statement, where _ and they as we put in the statement, where we _ and they as we put in the statement, where we have — and they as we put in the statement, where we have the _ and they as we put in the statement, where we have the most _ and they as we put in the statement, where we have the most concern, - and they as we put in the statement, where we have the most concern, it. where we have the most concern, it is caused _ where we have the most concern, it is caused inconvenience _ where we have the most concern, it is caused inconvenience and - is caused inconvenience and intimidation _ is caused inconvenience and intimidation for— is caused inconvenience and intimidation for us - is caused inconvenience and intimidation for us but - is caused inconvenience and intimidation for us but thatl is caused inconvenience andl intimidation for us but that is nothing — intimidation for us but that is nothing compared _ intimidation for us but that is nothing compared to - intimidation for us but that is nothing compared to those . intimidation for us but that is - nothing compared to those brave peopie _ nothing compared to those brave people in— nothing compared to those brave peopie in the _ nothing compared to those brave people in the front _ nothing compared to those brave people in the front line. - nothing compared to those brave people in the front line. you - nothing compared to those brave people in the front line.- people in the front line. you will notice some _ people in the front line. you will notice some of— people in the front line. you will notice some of the _ people in the front line. you will notice some of the people - people in the front line. you will notice some of the people who l people in the front line. you will. notice some of the people who work you have been named in the case againstjimmy light quite wrongly which is an outrage and of course it is an outrageous prosecution in the first place. we had a spy investigation which is still ongoing but we also had an individual that

was working with somebody who the intelligence services felt was a spy and is likely wondering around the building at that time, a lot of hong kong people trying to get out, we had documents on our desks and things. the truth is, we are and have been too wide open. find things. the truth is, we are and have been too wide open. and on that com arison have been too wide open. and on that comparison to — have been too wide open. and on that comparison to the _ have been too wide open. and on that comparison to the 1930s? _ have been too wide open. and on that comparison to the 1930s? the - have been too wide open. and on that comparison to the 1930s? the point . have been too wide open. and on that comparison to the 1930s? the point i | comparison to the 1930s? the point i was makin: comparison to the 1930s? the point i was making is _ comparison to the 1930s? the point i was making is what _ comparison to the 1930s? the point i was making is what does _ comparison to the 1930s? the point i was making is what does it _ comparison to the 1930s? the point i was making is what does it teach - comparison to the 1930s? the point i was making is what does it teach you j was making is what does it teach you about when you try to please those who think are threatening? the answer is they get more threatening. that is what appeasement teaches us. there are some parallels but i'm not reaching back to say we are in exactly the same boat, simply that the lesson is stand—up, be clear to yourself, be clear what matters to yourself, be clear what matters to you as a country, say it out loud and let the others do with it. and and let the others do with it. and there have _ and let the others do with it. and there have to _ and let the others do with it. and there have to be _ and let the others do with it. and there have to be consequences and there have to be consequences and the chinese — there have to be consequences and the chinese have _ there have to be consequences and the chinese have to _ there have to be consequences and the chinese have to be _ there have to be consequences and the chinese have to be convinced . there have to be consequences and| the chinese have to be convinced of those _ the chinese have to be convinced of those consequences _ the chinese have to be convinced of those consequences which - the chinese have to be convinced of those consequences which they- the chinese have to be convinced ofl those consequences which they have not until— those consequences which they have not until now — those consequences which they have not until now. (an _ those consequences which they have rrot until now— not until now. can i ask you stewart mcdonald, — not until now. can i ask you stewart mcdonald. you _ not until now. can i ask you stewart mcdonald, you had _ not until now. can i ask you stewart mcdonald, you had been _ not until now. can i ask you stewart mcdonald, you had been critical- not until now. can i ask you stewart mcdonald, you had been critical of. mcdonald, you had been critical of the first minister of scotland and

his failure as you see to the risk relations with china. what is your message to him today? i relations with china. what is your message to him today?— relations with china. what is your message to him today? i would say more on de-risking _ message to him today? i would say more on de-risking and _ message to him today? i would say more on de-risking and scotland i message to him today? i would say more on de-risking and scotland in j more on de—risking and scotland in the coming — more on de—risking and scotland in the coming weeks but when i see this affects _ the coming weeks but when i see this affects every single part of our society, — affects every single part of our society, this is what i mean and so often _ society, this is what i mean and so often devolution gets forgotten about _ often devolution gets forgotten about and they do not in moscow or beijing _ about and they do not in moscow or beijing. they are highly allowed to the fact— beijing. they are highly allowed to the fact that huge swathes of financial— the fact that huge swathes of financial and legislative powers do not set _ financial and legislative powers do not set in — financial and legislative powers do not set in london but if i can be critical— not set in london but if i can be critical of— not set in london but if i can be critical of the uk government as well try— critical of the uk government as well by the way, they have a 20th—century view of what national security _ 20th—century view of what national security is — 20th—century view of what national security is. it is not allowed to either— security is. it is not allowed to either the _ security is. it is not allowed to either the modern way or institutions of government are set ”p institutions of government are set up and _ institutions of government are set up and the — institutions of government are set up and the way in which they can be exploited _ up and the way in which they can be exploited if— up and the way in which they can be exploited. if we take for one example _ exploited. if we take for one example the issue of universities. our universities across the uk but in particular scotland are massively overdependent on money that comes from the _ overdependent on money that comes from the chinese state. if god help us we _ from the chinese state. if god help us we are _ from the chinese state. if god help us we are in— from the chinese state. if god help us we are in a situation where there

is a conflict — us we are in a situation where there is a conflict in — us we are in a situation where there is a conflict in taiwan or an economic— is a conflict in taiwan or an economic blockade of taiwan and there _ economic blockade of taiwan and there are — economic blockade of taiwan and there are sanctions back and forwards— there are sanctions back and forwards and universities for subject— forwards and universities for subject to that, what happens then? we do _ subject to that, what happens then? we do need to do what businesses already— we do need to do what businesses already do, start having that national— already do, start having that national dialogue with all parts of society— national dialogue with all parts of society about the change we need to see. society about the change we need to see i_ society about the change we need to see i am _ society about the change we need to see. lam not society about the change we need to see. i am not saying this to be critical— see. i am not saying this to be critical of— see. i am not saying this to be critical of anyone, i am trying to help— critical of anyone, i am trying to help because i think it is in our economic— help because i think it is in our economic interests to get this right — economic interests to get this ri . ht. ., ., , economic interests to get this riuht. ., .,, , ., economic interests to get this riuht. ., , ., , right. for me, the last question but my colleagues _ right. for me, the last question but my colleagues will _ right. for me, the last question but my colleagues will stay, _ right. for me, the last question but my colleagues will stay, i _ right. for me, the last question but my colleagues will stay, i have - right. for me, the last question but my colleagues will stay, i have to l my colleagues will stay, i have to go to the house of commons. flan my colleagues will stay, i have to go to the house of commons. can we define exactly — go to the house of commons. can we define exactly what _ go to the house of commons. can we define exactly what the _ go to the house of commons. can we define exactly what the threat - go to the house of commons. can we define exactly what the threat is - define exactly what the threat is for people watching this who may be far from westminster and are not dissidents, not mps, what exactly do they have to fear from china? we are deafinu they have to fear from china? we are dealin: not they have to fear from china? we are dealing not with _ they have to fear from china? we are dealing not with one _ they have to fear from china? we are dealing not with one country - they have to fear from china? we are dealing not with one country by - they have to fear from china? we are dealing not with one country by the i dealing not with one country by the way but an entity that is aggressive and brutal regime. that brooks no

contravening arguments or debates, has been known to arrest people under false pretenses, has been known to arrest people underfalse pretenses, practices under false pretenses, practices torture, underfalse pretenses, practices torture, practices genocide, what we are threatened with a number of different things. as they grow in power and potency, what happens is we are shrinking before them. we have talked about notjust china but what we call the axis of totalitarian states, china, north korea, russia, iran, they work in concert now. because we have not worked so closely in concert as we should have done, therefore they are making ground against us, lots of undecided countries are beginning to move across to the chinese side of things, the extremist side of things, the extremist side of things, that is because of the projects they put together. the west has to wake up to the fact this is a challenge to the very way we live our lives, belief in democracy, human rights, freedom of expression, freedom of worship, these are the

things we hold dear but we seem reluctant to want to defend those against the others who hold none of those virtues and values and want to take errors from us. although people don't think about it in the street, good examples are when things are hidden you don't get to know about them, ifall back hidden you don't get to know about them, i fall back personally on the basis of what happened during covid because of a lack of information and knowledge, a refusal to explain what was actually going on, there were huge problems that followed as a result and we have seen how many people died. unless you are open and free it is very difficult to manage your lives and that extent we have to be very clear about those who are not. with two major elections coming up this year are you concerned about any interference from beijing's those general elections in the us election? , ., ,

those general elections in the us election? , . , ., ., those general elections in the us election? , . ., ., , election? yes, that is again a very im ortant election? yes, that is again a very important question _ election? yes, that is again a very important question for— election? yes, that is again a very important question for ministers l important question for ministers today~ _ important question for ministers today the — important question for ministers today. the government- important question for ministers today. the government has- important question for ministersl today. the government has been important question for ministers - today. the government has been wise today. the government has been wise to this _ today. the government has been wise to this setting — today. the government has been wise to this setting up _ today. the government has been wise to this. setting up the _ today. the government has been wise to this. setting up the defending - to this. setting up the defending democracy— to this. setting up the defending democracy task— to this. setting up the defending democracy task force _ to this. setting up the defending democracy task force and - to this. setting up the defending democracy task force and we - to this. setting up the defendingl democracy task force and we had to this. setting up the defending. democracy task force and we had a briefing _ democracy task force and we had a briefing from — democracy task force and we had a briefing from other— democracy task force and we had a briefing from other i _ democracy task force and we had a briefing from other i pack- democracy task force and we had a| briefing from other i pack members who met _ briefing from other i pack members who met last— briefing from other i pack members who met last week. _ briefing from other i pack members who met last week. the _ briefing from other i pack members. who met last week. the government briefing from other i pack members- who met last week. the government is doing _ who met last week. the government is doing guite _ who met last week. the government is doing quite a _ who met last week. the government is doing quite a lot — who met last week. the government is doing quite a lot of— who met last week. the government is doing quite a lot of work— who met last week. the government is doing quite a lot of work to _ who met last week. the government is doing quite a lot of work to try - who met last week. the government is doing quite a lot of work to try to - doing quite a lot of work to try to prevent— doing quite a lot of work to try to prevent that _ doing quite a lot of work to try to prevent that sort _ doing quite a lot of work to try to prevent that sort of _ doing quite a lot of work to try to prevent that sort of incursion. i doing quite a lot of work to try tol prevent that sort of incursion. but we know _ prevent that sort of incursion. but we know that _ prevent that sort of incursion. but we know that is _ prevent that sort of incursion. but we know that is the _ prevent that sort of incursion. but we know that is the way _ prevent that sort of incursion. but we know that is the way china - prevent that sort of incursion. but| we know that is the way china act. we have _ we know that is the way china act. we have got— we know that is the way china act. we have got to _ we know that is the way china act. we have got to be _ we know that is the way china act. we have got to be ever— we know that is the way china act. we have got to be ever vigilant. . we know that is the way china act. i we have got to be ever vigilant. we hope _ we have got to be ever vigilant. we hope the _ we have got to be ever vigilant. we hope the statement _ we have got to be ever vigilant. we hope the statement today- we have got to be ever vigilant. we hope the statement today is - we have got to be ever vigilant. we hope the statement today is going i we have got to be ever vigilant. we. hope the statement today is going to increase _ hope the statement today is going to increase the — hope the statement today is going to increase the government _ hope the statement today is going to increase the government was - hope the statement today is going to increase the government was not. increase the government was not ongoing _ increase the government was not ongoing vigilance _ increase the government was not ongoing vigilance because - increase the government was not ongoing vigilance because china, | increase the government was noti ongoing vigilance because china, i have described _ ongoing vigilance because china, i have described it— ongoing vigilance because china, i have described it as _ ongoing vigilance because china, i have described it as having - ongoing vigilance because china, i have described it as having many. have described it as having many tentacles — have described it as having many tentacles in _ have described it as having many tentacles in very— have described it as having many tentacles in very many— have described it as having many tentacles in very many differentl tentacles in very many different areas. — tentacles in very many different areas. the — tentacles in very many different areas, the school, _ tentacles in very many different areas, the school, university. areas, the school, university campuses, _ areas, the school, university campuses, boardrooms, - areas, the school, universityl campuses, boardrooms, local authorities. _ campuses, boardrooms, local authorities, in— campuses, boardrooms, local authorities, in businesses. i campuses, boardrooms, locall authorities, in businesses. but absolutely, _ authorities, in businesses. but absolutely, they— authorities, in businesses. but absolutely, they are _ authorities, in businesses. but absolutely, they are in - authorities, in businesses. but absolutely, they are in the - authorities, in businesses. but - absolutely, they are in the business of trying _ absolutely, they are in the business of trying to— absolutely, they are in the business of trying to influence _ absolutely, they are in the business of trying to influence elections - absolutely, they are in the business of trying to influence elections and i of trying to influence elections and democracy— of trying to influence elections and democracy is — of trying to influence elections and democracy is as _ of trying to influence elections and

democracy is as well. _ of trying to influence elections and democracy is as well. given - of trying to influence elections and democracy is as well. given that. democracy is as well. given that over— democracy is as well. given that over 40% — democracy is as well. given that over 40% of— democracy is as well. given that over 40% of the _ democracy is as well. given that over 40% of the world _ democracy is as well. given thatl over 40% of the world democracy democracy is as well. given that. over 40% of the world democracy is our going _ over 40% of the world democracy is our going to — over 40% of the world democracy is our going to the _ over 40% of the world democracy is our going to the polls _ over 40% of the world democracy is our going to the polls this - over 40% of the world democracy is our going to the polls this year, - our going to the polls this year, including — our going to the polls this year, including some _ our going to the polls this year, including some of— our going to the polls this year, including some of the _ our going to the polls this year, including some of the largest, i our going to the polls this year, i including some of the largest, we only to _ including some of the largest, we only to be — including some of the largest, we only to be vigilant, _ including some of the largest, we only to be vigilant, not _ including some of the largest, we only to be vigilant, not just - including some of the largest, we only to be vigilant, not just the l only to be vigilant, not just the uk. ux. - studio: we ux. — studio: we leave that uk. studio: we leave that press conference there. you heard the personal stories of those mps talking about their experiences. cyber hacking and china and also a proposal really. requests they had for the government to try and change the uk's relationship with china. our correspondent is standing by. talk through what we were hearing. it really sets the scene for the statement we are expecting in about 1.5 hours from the deputy prime minister oliver dowden who will respond to the kind of experiences those mps have been detailing. i think it was striking the former

conservative leader iain duncan smith asked to give specific examples of the harassment and intimidation he has experience. for example someone had been impersonating him for some time sending e—mails on his behalf to contacts around the world. pretty senior politician in the conservative party and suggesting on his behalf they completely change his behalf they completely change his mind on the china issue accusing him effectively of lying. that is just one example of a kind of experience they have had. the other thing we're talking about today is cyber attack on the electoral commission, britain's election watchdog in 21, only came to light at the nta day is the first occasion we get government official suggesting people with links to china were responsible for that attack but there is the wish list as you heard them set out and more than anything they want to see the government take a really strong action against individuals in the chinese state. whether we get that is a different matter and whether it has an impact on what china has

allegedly been doing, notjust in the uk but around the world, allegedly interfering in democratic processes is another matter. we have to wait and see on that regard. the ruestion to wait and see on that regard. the question are _ to wait and see on that regard. the question are they concerned about election interference and the answer was yes. what does that mean? it is difficult to say _ was yes. what does that mean? it 3 difficult to say because they said they had a briefing presumably from officials, top security officials who cannot repeat what they were told and a lot of this will not be repeated in parliament so we don't quite know exact what china has been trying to achieve. the electoral commission said it has not had an impact on subsequent elections or just... oursystem impact on subsequent elections or just... our system they see is free and fair and the integrity has been protected and they have taken

measures to secure those systems but i suppose it is in the interest of china and other countries we are not particularly friendly with a try to so a bit of discord and look at systems and ethical question the fire catchment fairness of elections and the people ultimately elected a bit less powerful. we might hear from oliver dowden but that will be the chief concern for people watching. the authorities are stressing has not had too much impact and was fairly limited and also listening to those mps, they are talking about being a watershed moment. the current former secretary —— foreign secretary lord cameron said there was a gold mural uk china relations, that has changed an awful lot in recent years and i think they want to hear from lot in recent years and i think they want to hearfrom him too. he has moved on from that and put that into the rear—view mirror and they see

the rear—view mirror and they see the balance has tipped away from trying to keep china on site because of the fact it has so much economic strength, a lot of ukjobs of the fact it has so much economic strength, a lot of uk jobs depend of the fact it has so much economic strength, a lot of ukjobs depend on trade with china and now the priority for the uk should be calling out some of the problems we have in terms of human rights abuses and this alleged interference in democratic processes.- and this alleged interference in democratic processes. thank you. we are exoecting — democratic processes. thank you. we are exoecting to _ democratic processes. thank you. we are expecting to hear _ democratic processes. thank you. we are expecting to hear from _ democratic processes. thank you. we are expecting to hear from oliver - are expecting to hear from oliver dowden in the next couple of hours speaking in parliament and we will have coverage of that. for the moment, this is bbc news. goodbye. studio: you can see people gathered there in the chamber in new york. we need to clarify the israeli position for you but that is one line that has been reported by israeli radio. we will. ..

has been reported by israeli radio. we will... we will bring you more on that in the coming moments. let's return now to new york, where donald trump has just arrived at court. mrtrump is heading to a pre—trial hearing in his hush money case. the judge may announce a date of his trial which relates to a payment to the adult film actress stormy daniels, before the 2016 election. mr trump is expected to ask the judge to delay or dismiss the trial. also today, it's the deadline for the former us president to post m64 million bond after a civil trial found that he, his adult sons and the trump organisation committed massive fraud. if he doesn't, new york attorney general letitia james has threatened to seize his assets. she has already lodged court paperwork that suggests his estate and golf course in westchester county, new york could be among her first targets. the bbc�*s nada tawfik is outside the court in new york where that hush money hearing

is taking place. for donald trump and his fortunes, this bond deadline is certainly significant. i mean, donald trump has already argued through his legal team to an appeals court that it's been a practical impossibility for him to secure a bond. they say they have reached out to 30 different companies and those companies either won't give him a bond of that magnitude — cos remember we are talking about almost half a billion dollars — or they won't take his real estate as collateral. they want him to put the cash up front. so that is going to be a big test. donald trump's team has asked the appeals court to allow him to either post a smaller bond or to pause that completely, until his appeal process plays out, while the attorney general, letitia james, argues that he could get several smaller bonds. so she is really pushing back against any pause in him having to pay the full amount. and as you mention there,

that could have significant ramifications for mr trump, because if he doesn't get a pause from the court, if he doesn't get the cash to post that bond, then the attorney general has signalled she will go ahead and start to seize his assets and that could include going after his bank accounts, going after his personal possessions and going after some of his iconic properties around new york. now, where i am right now, outside of the new york criminal court, remember this was the first criminal trial donald trump was charged in and it was mainly going to schedule untiljust two weeks before jury selection. attorney and donald trump's team some additional documents. donald trump said he wanted a delay from that, the district attorney accused donald trump's team ofjust trying to delay this trial. so we will see today who the judge sides with.

around the world and across the uk, this is bbc news.

russia has charged four men it says attacked a concert hall near moscow on friday, killing at least 137 people. the men appeared in court late on sunday showing signs of being beaten. prosecutors say three of them have pleaded guilty to terrorism offences. the islamic state group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but that hasn't stopped the kremlin from trying to blame ukraine — an accusation kyiv describes as "absurd". graham satchell has more details. the four terror suspects were dragged into court bound and blindfolded. this a very public show. look at the number of cameras as

the men are paraded in glass boxes. all four men appear to have been beaten, one was in a wheelchair. they are accused of killing at least 137 people in the massacre on friday night and face life in prison, although calls are growing in russia for the men to be given the death penalty. today, russia released these pictures of border guards getting medals for detaining the suspects. russia claims the four men were arrested almost 250 miles south of moscow, on the way to ukraine. moscow itself is a city in mourning. thousands of flowers, messages and candles have been left to honour those who were killed. and there are hundreds of soft toys — children were also killed in the massacre. the attack started in the lobby, gunmen firing automatic weapons as people fled in panic. survivors like pavel shamponov of have been telling their stories. gunfire.

"words fail me," he says, "and this tragedy will leave an indelible imprint on all our lives." president putin, lighting a candle of remembrance, says the terrorists face retribution and oblivion. he suggested ukraine is responsible for the attack. it is something officials in kyiv have vehemently denied. as emergency services continue to work their way through the wreckage, there are now competing narratives, so—called islamic state has claimed responsibility, describing the attack as part of the ongoing war with countries fighting islam. the four suspects are reported to be from tajikistan, a former soviet state with a muslim majority. despite that, russian officials seem determined to point the blame at ukraine. bbc monitoring's russia editor, vitaly shevchenko updated us on what the russian government

is saying about the attack. the presidential spokesman, dmitry peskov, has given his daily press briefing, in which he appeared to leave a door open for all sorts of versions about what happened on friday. he said there is no definitive one version and also he said that russia wasn't working with the west, western intelligence agencies, to get to the bottom of what happened there. so all these remarks were kind of vague but the foreign ministry in moscow was more blunt in blaming ukraine. a spokeswoman for the russian foreign ministry, maria zakharova, wrote an article for russia's most popular tabloid, in which she spoke about "ukrainian terrorism supported by the united states", without actually directly

blaming ukraine. but this is kind of the mood music you are picking up in russian media. margarita simonyan, the head of russian foreign broadcaster rt, she was the one who directly blamed ukraine. she said nothing to do with isis, it was ukraine. the uk's deputy prime minister, 0liver dowden, is expected to tell mps later today that hackers linked to china were behind a cyber attack on the electoral commission. the british government says it's time to "call out" attacks aimed at undermining democracy. mr dowden is expected to tell parliament that china is behind a wave of cyber—attacks against mps and peers critical of beijing. china is also believed to have accessed the personal details of a0 million voters in a hack of the election watchdog. the bbc understands other western nations will set out similar concerns.

uk prime minister rishi sunak says the government is taking action to protect the country. we've been very clear that the situation now is that china is behaving in increasingly assertive way abroad, authoritarian at home, and it represents an epoch—defining challenge and also the greatest state—based threat to our economic security. so it's right that we take measures to protect ourselves, which is what we are doing. to give some specific examples, we've used our new national security investment powers to block investment from china into sensitive technology sectors like semiconductors. our national security act and others means that we can take any other steps that we need to. we've removed huawei, for example, from our telecoms network, and we will always do what is required to keep our country safe. former tory leader sir iain duncan smith, a prominent critic of the chinese government, said mps would not be "bullied into silence by beijing". he was speaking at a conference

in the last few minutes. today's announcement should mark a watershed _ today's announcement should mark a watershed moment where the uk takes a stand _ watershed moment where the uk takes a stand for— watershed moment where the uk takes a stand for values of human rights and the _ a stand for values of human rights and the international rules —based system _ and the international rules —based system upon which we all depend. therefore — system upon which we all depend. therefore we have hopefully request of the _ therefore we have hopefully request of the government when they make their respective statements today. number— their respective statements today. number one china should be immediately labelled as a threat, not anti—pork defining systemic challenge in the integrated review. china _ challenge in the integrated review. china should be in the enhanced two of the _ china should be in the enhanced two of the foreign influence registration scheme, that there should _ registration scheme, that there should be sanctions on those responsible for the abuses and not 'ust responsible for the abuses and not just in— responsible for the abuses and not just in hong kong but obviously in shame _ just in hong kong but obviously in shame showing and around the whole of china's— shame showing and around the whole of china's including tibet and support— of china's including tibet and support for mps and other victims of beijings— support for mps and other victims of beijing's transnational repression. we will— beijing's transnational repression. we will bring you the latest from new york, the un security council

resolution vote and what's going on with donald trump. stay with us and be senior. hello there. good afternoon. some very unsettled weather conditions as we head through this week towards the easter bank holiday weekend. so wet and windy at times. but this morning there were some early brightness and sunshine across east anglia. low cloud elsewhere with outbreaks of rain affecting devon, cornwall and into south wales too. it's across the far south west of england where we could see some of the highest rainfall accumulations as we head through the next five days. some very wet weather here maybe leading to some flooding, but as you can see, a lot more rain to come in the forecast wherever you are across the uk. and a couple of weather fronts to keep an eye on today. the cold front bringing the rain to the southwest and a warm front just pushing northwards and eastwards bringing more heavy rain across northern ireland, also into southern and central areas of scotland with snow on the leading

edge towards the north. so we will see some more wintry weather across the grampians. the cairngorms above a50 metres freshening southeasterly winds across irish sea coast in particular, some rain affecting northern england, perhaps easing through the afternoon and drierfurther south and east. it's a little cooler than it was yesterday. temperatures between six and 12 degrees celsius. now, as we head through this evening and overnight, while our warm front will continue to push out into the north sea, taking that heavy rain with it, still some wistfulness over the hills of scotland towards the north. 0ur cold front will still bring some outbreaks of rain across the south west and into western wales as well. it's gradually pushing further eastwards. it's a largely frost free start to tomorrow morning, but watch out for some icy stretches where we've seen the wintry weather across the north of scotland. these showers likely to continue, gusty winds across the northern isles and our cold front is pushing northwards and eastwards bringing rain into central southern england, the midlands, eastern areas of wales, possibly into north west england and northern ireland. temperatures slipping once more. these temperatures are at orjust slightly below the seasonal average. low pressure rolls in from the southwest. and as we head through wednesday, there'll be strong gusty winds strengthening south westerly winds and bands of more organised showers. some of those showers again could turn wintry over the tops of the hills.

another dip in temperature for most of us as we head through wednesday and going into thursday, there'll be some severe gales perhaps towards channel coast. so some very windy weather on thursday with more bands of heavy showers to come in the forecast. dry it on good friday. so some very windy weather on thursday with more bands of heavy showers to come in the forecast. dry on good friday.

all change at boeing, as the plane—maker announces three departures in its top team amid scrutiny over its safety record. big tech crackdown. the european union announces a major investigation into apple and the owners of google and facebook over alleged 'uncompetitive practices'. a £100 billion problem. is the uk's huge trading relationship with china unde threat from claims of hacking and election interference? welcome to world business report. i'm marc ashdown. first up, it's all change at boeing. the plane—maker has revealed

that its chief executive dave calhoun will leave by the end of this year.