Sunak 'more concerned about China and will take right steps on TikTok'

The prime minister, who was in California to discuss a security partnership designed to mitigate any Chinese threat, spoke to ITV News' Political Editor Robert Peston

Rishi Sunak has told ITV News he is increasingly concerned about China and will take necessary steps to protect UK security from any threat posed by social media giant TikTok.

The prime minister, in California to discuss a security partnership designed to mitigate any Chinese threat, said the country presents a "systemic challenge" and "it's right that we protect ourselves".

He told ITV News' Political Editor Robert Peston "we are more concerned about China’s behaviour, they’re acting in a more authoritarian fashion at home, more assertive overseas", adding: "We’re not alone in thinking about China in that way."

Rishi Sunak on the threat posed by China

The PM confirmed he would boost defence spending to 2.5% of the national income ahead of meetings with President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, in order to combat the "more volatile world" created by Russian and Chinese threats.

It came as part of a new defence spending report by the government - the Integrated Review Refresh 2023 - which found Russia's war in Ukraine and China's aggression over neighbour Taiwan was "threatening to create a world defined by danger, disorder and division".

The 63-page document said any war in the Indo-Pacific region could have "global consequences greater than the conflict in Ukraine" and China poses "an epoch-defining challenge to the type of international order we want to see".

The US, Australia and Canada have all moved to ban the use of Chinese social media giant TikTok on government devices but the UK has not followed its allies.

They are concerned China could access private data collected by TikTok because of a rule there which forces companies to comply with government requests for information.

The UK is expected to impose its own ban soon, however Mr Sunak would not confirm this.

Sunak on whether the UK will ban TikTok on government devices:

Asked if a ban was coming, the PM said he does not routinely comment on such matters but added: "We do take very seriously the use of government IT and we of course look at what our allies are doing in the space."

"There are established guidelines in place which we obviously continually make sure are appropriate."

He went on to say the UK always takes note of what its allies are doing and will "take whatever steps are necessary" to protect the integrity of sensitive information.

The prime minister also insisted in the ITV News interview that he would not try to influence Conservatives on the Privileges Committee who are considering whether Boris Johnson should be punished over Partygate.

The committee must decide whether the former prime minister knowingly misled the House of Commons when insisting that Covid rules were not broken on Downing Street during the pandemic - claims which were eventually proven to be false.

Mr Sunak said it "wouldn’t be right" to try influence the committee over how to deal with his predecessor.

Asked if he was not concerned that a suspension of more than 10 days could trigger a by-election, Mr Sunak added: “This is a matter for Parliament, for the House. It’s not right for the government to get involved.”

Mr Sunak's broadcast interviews came at the start of a busy day in America, which will see him, Mr Biden and Mr Albanese deliver a joint press conference on their new security partnership.

As part of the long-awaited Integrated Review Refresh on defence spending, the government said an additional £5 billion will be provided to the Ministry of Defence over the next two years, to "help replenish and bolster vital ammunition stocks, modernise the UK’s nuclear enterprise and fund the next phase of the AUKUS submarine programme".

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On the partnership and defence more generally, Mr Sunak said: “By investing in our armed forces for the long-term, we will be ready for the challenges of today and of the future."

He added: "The UK will remain a leading contributor to NATO and a reliable international partner, standing up for our values from Ukraine to the South China Seas.

“We have seen all too clearly in the last year how global crises impact us at home, with Russia’s appalling invasion of Ukraine driving up energy and food prices.

"We will fortify our national defences, from economic security to technology supply chains and intelligence expertise, to ensure we are never again vulnerable to the actions of a hostile power.”