Grant Shapps defends new role as defence sec - but admits he lacks knowledge about Army

Grant Shapps gives statement following MoD cyber-attack

Grant Shapps has said that “state involvement” in the large-scale cyber attack on the Ministry of Defence cannot be ruled out as speculation continues to grow that China carried out the hack. The defence secretary said there is evidence of “potential failings” of the contractor operating the payroll system that was hacked, “which may have made it easier for the malign actor” to gain access to bank details of veterans. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

PM reassures the public following cyber attack

Rishi Sunak has reassured the public following a major data breach at the Ministry of Defence, which impacted a third-party payroll system. "I do want to reassure people the Ministry of Defence has already taken action, removing the network and taking it offline and making sure the people affected are supported in the right way," he said. He refused to be drawn on claims China is behind the data breach, but confirmed defence secretary Grant Shapps will address MPs in the House of Commons later today. Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Defence Sec wants ''the most lethal armed forces possible''

Defence secretary Grant Shapps says that Jens Stoltenberg, the secretary general of NATO, is delighted with the UK's commitment to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence by 2030. Report by Gluszczykm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn