Cyber-terror attack 'could cripple UK'

BRITAIN could be crippled by a cyber-terrorist attack, a former chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority warned today.

Lord Toby Harris said al Qaida could engage in hi-tech internet terrorism to seriously damage the British economy.

Lord Harris said that a computer-literate terrorist could hack into banking and financial systems, government and public services, communication networks and police.

He cited the disruption caused to the coastguard service last year by the Sasser worm virus and said this could be the tip of the iceberg.

"The threat could come from teenage hackers with no more motivation than proving that it could be done; but, more seriously, it could come from cyber-terrorists intent on bringing down of our society," Lord Harris told a conference in London.

• Eight suspected al-Qaida members admitted planning attacks on the British embassy in Yemen when they went on trial today. The eight told the court they received money and instructions from al-Qaida operatives in Saudi Arabia.