Defence Secretary Warns That Russia Could Cause "Thousands Of Deaths" In Britain

The Defence Secretary has warned Russia could cause "thousands and thousands and thousands" of deaths in an attack on Britain's energy supply.

Gavin Williamson said Moscow had been looking at the UK's critical infrastructure, such as power stations and interconnectors that allow the transfer of electricity across borders.

Questioning why the country would be researching these areas, he told the Daily Telegraph: "It is because they are saying 'these are the ways we can hurt Britain'."

According to the paper, Mr Williamson speculated that the threat could be carried out in the form of a cyber attack, from undersea activity or by a missile.

He said: "The plan for the Russians won't be for landing craft to appear in the South Bay in Scarborough, and off Brighton Beach.

"They are going to be thinking, 'How can we just cause so much pain to Britain?

"Damage its economy, rip its infrastructure apart, actually cause thousands and thousands and thousands of deaths, but actually have an element of creating total chaos within the country'."

He said that after causing "the chaos", the world's largest nation would then "step back", insisting he believes it is a "real threat" currently facing Britain.

The warning comes as Mr Williamson aims to complete a defence review - called the Defence Modernisation Programme - by the summer.

On Thursday, the Defence Secretary said that the review "isn't aiming to be fiscally neutral" as he bids to resist pressure to make further budget cuts.

The Russian defence ministry's Major-General Igor Konashenkov has responded to Mr Williamson, saying:

"The minister's morbid fear of Russia photographing power stations or researching the locations of British gas lines is worthy of depiction in children's comic books or 'Monty Python's Flying Circus'

"All data about the location of British power plants or pipelines is about as secret as, for example, photographs and locations of Westminster Abbey or Big Ben."

Analysis:

By Forces News Westminster Correspondent Laura Makin-Isherwood

Some say the best managers lead by example.

And it looks like Gavin Williamson has taken that advice on board.

After making a plea to MPs in the Commons yesterday to speak out about the increasing hostilities the country may face from Russia, his words are now splashed across newspapers.

The Defence Secretary has warned that Russia could cause "thousands and thousands and thousands" of deaths by targeting Britain's energy supply.

Moscow is, he says, looking at our power stations and interconnectors that allow electricity to cross borders. Disrupting this supply would cause chaos.

Is this the Defence Secretary getting into his stride by using headlines to reach the public and encouraging others to join the campaign?

And, after saying yesterday the new Modernising Defence Programme is not aiming to be fiscally neutral, could these stark warnings build the momentum he needs to pressure the Treasury for more cash?

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