Dominic Cummings, a former senior adviser to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, has claimed that China has infiltrated a key UK government data-transfer network over an extended period, compromising highly classified materials. According to Cummings, the breach, confirmed by two other senior Whitehall sources, was connected to a Chinese-owned company involved in Britain’s critical national infrastructure. The former adviser alleged that a cover-up occurred after a breach was confirmed in 2020, with officials allegedly suppressing information to prioritize Chinese investment over national security.
Cummings described the situation as ‘bizarre’ during a meeting in the secure ‘bunker’ of No 10, where he and Johnson were informed of the breach. He recounted the cabinet secretary’s statement that there had been a ‘serious problem,’ with some in the room questioning whether they were hearing a ‘f***ing crazy’ scenario. He emphasized the severity of the breach, which allegedly included ‘Strap’ material—classified as the highest level of information—such as intelligence services and National Security Secretariat data in the Cabinet Office. The breach, Cummings warned, could have ‘very, very serious implications’ if the compromised information fell into foreign hands.
Tom Tugendhat, a former Tory security minister, supported Cummings’ account, adding credibility to the claims. The allegations suggest a significant national security risk, potentially undermining trust in UK government transparency and international diplomatic relations. The details of the breach and the alleged cover-up have raised concerns about the balance between economic interests and national security in foreign relations.