MoD: Lib Dems call for inquiry following hack

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

• The Liberal Democrats have called for an official inquiry into the security of the Ministry of Defence’s personal data following a reported major hack

• This follows almost 400 MoD electronic devices such as hard drives and memory sticks having been recorded as lost or stolen last year

• Shapps criticised for leadership plotting instead of “getting the fundamentals right to support our service personnel”

The Liberal Democrats have called for an inquiry into the security of personal data at the MoD following a reported major hack of the armed forces’ payroll system which could have compromised the personal information of thousands of serving personnel and veterans. 

The party previously revealed through a Written Parliamentary Question that 383 electronic devices were stolen or lost from the Department last year.

These included 185 laptops, 98 mobile phones, 30 memory sticks and 70 external hard drives.

The Lib Dems called on the government to launch an inquiry into the security of personal data at the Ministry of Defence, and organisations to which they outsource, after the reported hack.

Richard Foord, Liberal Democrat Defence spokesperson, criticised Defence Secretary Grant Shapps, saying that he “would be better served spending less time plotting his future Conservative leadership bid, and more time getting the fundamentals right to support our service personnel.”

The party has also said that the government should make protecting our democracy a national security priority following reports that the hack was conducted by China.

Liberal Democrat Defence spokesperson, Richard Foord MP said:

“There needs to be an urgent inquiry into the security of MoD data and the impact of this reported breach on current and former service personnel.

“Many in the armed forces community will be worrying about the implications of this leak. Those serving in our armed forces are putting their lives on the line for our country. That they and their families have been let down in this way is deeply disappointing. 

“There must be urgent assurances from Ministers that the hacking of personal data won’t happen again. Perhaps the Defence Secretary would be better served spending less time plotting his future Conservative leadership bid, and more time getting the fundamentals right to support our service personnel.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

Reporting on the hack can be found here.

The Written Parliamentary Questions can be found here.