THE UK’s cybersecurity agency is leading investigations into bomb hoax threats which were sent to hundreds of schools in Scotland, the Prime Minister has said.
Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) on Wednesday, Andy Burnham said that those found to be responsible for the threats will “face the full force of the law”.
On October 19, hundreds of schools across Scotland – and around 300 in Northern Ireland – received “threatening messages”.
Multiple schools were evacuated, while Police Scotland confirmed the messages are being treated as a hoax.
The threats explicitly referenced Islamic terror and was signed off with “Allahu Akbar”.
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The incident was raised at PMQs by Democratic Unionist Party MP Jim Shannon, who said the threats had caused “intense panic”, “fear” and “distress” upon “thousands of young children and their parents”.
Shannon asked: “So can the Prime Minister please outline what specific measures our security forces and services are taking to trace the source of these digital threats, which police indicate are originated from outside the United Kingdom.
“And furthermore, what active steps has the Government taken to protect our schools, harden our cyber defences, and to ensure that our children and our grandchildren are kept safe from the looming threat of radicalised terrorism.”
In response, Burnham said he shares the “deep concern” felt about the attack and “the distressing effect it will have had on parents, teachers and children”.
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The Prime Minister said: “Obviously, there is a live and serious police investigation.
“I can’t comment on that, but I can tell him that the National Cyber Security Centre are providing direct expert help to the schools affected.
“I can also be absolutely categoric with him, I will work with him on this.
“Those found to be responsible will face the full force of the law.”
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