"Q That is really helpful. You mention cyber. From your perspective, what is the increasing relevance of cyber to state threats?
Paddy McGuinness: Yes, and this is illustrative. In the other areas, as Sir Alex described and did fantastic service in countering terrorism, we have not had as much …..." Scott Mann - View Speech
"Q52 Welcome. Do you agree that the UK’s ability to deter, detect and disrupt state threats will improve with the passage of the Bill?
Sam Armstrong: My fundamental answer is yes. There are a number of good powers in the Bill. It does not address every issue that some …..." Scott Mann - View Speech
"Q Could you expand a little more on the cyber-nature of those threats? What do we see and what do you need?
Carl Miller: If there is one thing to take away from any of my evidence it is probably this: we have completely misconceived—the Bill slightly, but generally …..." Scott Mann - View Speech
Sam Armstrong: This Bill will do an awful lot to deal with it. There are some offences in the Bill that are drawn extremely broadly and will allow the security services to take a knife to whichever problems they …..." Scott Mann - View Speech
"Q May I ask you about—it might be interesting for the Committee to understand—the Electoral Commission’s key functions in relation to the threats of foreign interference?
Louise Edwards: Of course. We are, fundamentally, an organisation that oversees the running of elections in the UK. We also have a role …..." Scott Mann - View Speech
"Q Can you describe the threat of foreign interference in our elections, as understood by the commission?
Louise Edwards: As I said, we are not a national security body, so our knowledge of the threat of foreign interference in the UK is very much based on what law enforcement …..." Scott Mann - View Speech
"Q I have one more question, if I may. The Bill introduces a new offence of foreign interference, which will criminalise interference in the UK political process. Do you see value in increasing prosecuting options in that area?
"Q Professor Martin, thank you very much for appearing in front of us today. You are credited with being a significant proponent of transforming the UK’s approach to cyber-security. Do you welcome the approach taken in this field to tackle all factors of hostile activity by foreign states?