Britain must deal with ‘real danger’ of North Korean missiles, defence sec warns – as US officially blames Kim for NHS Wannacry cyber attack
BRITAIN must "step up" urgently to deal with the threat posed by North Korea, the Defence Secretary has warned as the Government accuses the rogue state of the "WannaCry" cyber attack that paralysed the NHS.
Gavin Williamson said the rogue state is on the way to developing ballistic missiles that could soon strike London - and he wouldn't hesitate to take action if he had to.
"They are currently on the pathway to have ballistic missiles that could strike London."
He went on: "This is not just a problem for the United States. This is a global problem. Britain has to step up in terms of dealing with it."
Mr Williamson, who took over from Sir Micheal Fallon last month, insisted that Britain would continue to play a major role on the world stage.
He added: "There are threats emerging right around the world.
"Britain is a global player, it's a world player."
And he hinted that Britain could be making preparations to join America in dealing with the North Korean threat.
Two Royal Navy warships - HMS Argyll and HMS Sutherland - are shortly heading to join operations with the American fleet.
"We are always planning for the worst and hoping for the best," he said.
"We are working with all our allies in the region to make sure that we continue to put pressure on North Korea."
The most recent missile test was estimated to have a range of around 8,000 miles - which would put both Europe and the US in the firing line.
Pyongyang said the mega-missile then reached an altitude of around 2,780 miles - more than ten times the height of the international space station - and flew 600 miles during its 53-minute flight.
It comes as the US and UK governments vowed revenge on North Korea after the WannaCry ransomware attack infected hundreds of thousands of computers worldwide and crippled parts of the NHS.
It was the highest-profile cyberattack the hermit state has been blamed for since the 2014 hack of Sony Pictures after it produced "The Interview," a satirical movie imagining a CIA plot to kill leader Kim Jong-un.
Last night Donald Trump vowed to tackle the regime's tests "head on" but admitted there was "much more work to do".
He said: "
America and its allies will take all necessary steps to ensure denuclearisation and ensure that this regime cannot threaten the world.
"It will be taken care of. We have no choice.”
Frightened defence officials released two survival videos last night advising Guam residents on what they should do in the event of an attack.