ISIS terrorists are plotting to use internet for “evil” by launching deadly cyber-attacks which could cripple Britain, George Osborne will warn today.
The Chancellor will use a speech at GCHQ to warn that ISIS poses a significant “cyber threat” amid concerns that it could kill innocent people by attacking power stations, the National Grid and hospitals.
"He will say: ISIS is already using the internet for hideous propaganda purposes; for radicalization, for operational planning too. They have not been able to use it to kill people yet by attacking our infrastructure through cyber-attack. They do not yet have that capability. But we know they want it, and are doing their best to build it."
His warning comes in the wake of the Paris terror attacks as it emerged that police in UK are currently investigating 600 ISIS plots and other counter-terrorism cases.
David Cameron revealed that a major ISIS plot was foiled within the last three weeks as he said Britain must show the same resolve in fighting terrorism it displayed against Hitler during the Blitz.
Invoking the spirit of Sir Winston Churchill, the former Prime Minister, Cameron said that Britain “will again in the end prevail” as he announced a £2billion spending boost for the SAS.
The police will tonight erect a ring of steel around Wembley Stadium when England hosts France in an international friendly football match.
The Duke of Cambridge is due to attend while David Cameron is considering going after suggesting he would be prepared to take his son.
But Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader, sparked fresh anger when he signaled he would not sanction a “shoot to kill” policy against terrorists on Britain’s streets.
He also questioned the “legality” of the drone strike believed to have killed ISIS murderer Jihadi John, who was responsible for beheading several Western hostages.
There will be a ring of steel around Wembley stadium tonight when England hosts France in an international friendly football match.
Osborne will on Tuesday announce that Britain will commit to doubling expenditure on cyber security to £1.9billion by 2020.
He will also announce a “National Cyber Centre” at GCHQ which will respond to “major attacks” on Britain.
"He is expected to say: ISIS’s murderous brutality has a strong digital element. At a time when so many others are using the internet to enhance freedom and give expression to liberal values and creativity, they are using it for evil. So when we talk about tackling ISIS, that means tackling their cyber threat as well as the threat of their guns, bombs and knives."
Security has already been stepped up around the UK in the wake of the Paris attacks, which saw at least seven terrorists target a concert, restaurants and the France vs. Germany football match at the Stade de France.
But Commander Richard Walton, the head of Scotland Yard’s Counter Terrorism Command, revealed that police and the security services were currently “running about 600 separate counter-terrorist investigations and we are making on average an arrest a day”.
The investigations include plots to attack the UK as well as suspects planning to travel to or returning from Syria, fundraising offences and encouraging or inciting terror.
It emerged that one plot was disrupted in the last two weeks but officials refused to discuss the details because it is an ongoing investigation.
It raised fears that a group was planning a gun, bomb or knife attack on the UK’s streets.
Walton said: “London has faced down a succession of terrorist threats over the last 100 years or more - and the story of our great city includes endless accounts of resilience, resourcefulness and resolve. The events at the weekend will only strengthen our determination to stand up against this grotesque form of extremism.”
Britain’s elite forces, including the SAS, are to receive £2 billion over the next five years to reinforce their ability to take on marauding terrorists, Cameron announced.
The cash will be spent on weapons, night fighting equipment, protective equipment, communications and helicopters; The Telegraph reported.
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