North Korea is on its way to developing missiles capable of striking London, the Defence Secretary has warned.

Urging Britain to "step up" in dealing with dictator Kim Jong Un, Gavin Williamson has delivered a chilling alert over the "massive threat" from Pyongyang.

His warning comes after US President Donald Trump branded North Korea a "nuclear menace" as he set out America's new national security strategy.

On Tuesday, Washington also found Pyongyang "directly responsible" for the WannaCry attack on global computer systems, which crippled the NHS in May.

Image: Gavin Williamson described North Korea as a 'real danger'

In an interview with the Evening Standard, Mr Williamson said: "North Korea is a massive threat. They are a real danger to this country.


"They are currently on the pathway to have ballistic missiles that could strike London.

"This is not just a problem for the US. This is a global problem. Britain has to step up in terms of dealing with it.

"There are threats emerging right around the world. Britain is a global player, it's a world player.

"We will never hesitate to deal with aggression and threats."

Trump: Kim Jong Un is 'a sick puppy'

The Tory MP spoke of how two Royal Navy frigates are on their way to East Asia as part of international efforts to put pressure on North Korea.

Pyongyang has carried out a series of provocative missile tests over the past year, sparking furious clashes between Mr Trump and Mr Kim.

The most recent missile launched by North Korea was estimated to have a potential range of more than 8,000 miles.

London and the rest of the UK lies less than 6,000 miles from Pyongyang.

Mr Williamson also used the interview to reassure Britons the UK's armed forces will remain "vigilant" over coming days, because terrorism "does not respect Christmas".

Since being promoted from chief whip to Defence Secretary in November, Mr Williamson has made a series of headline-grabbing interventions and been touted as a future Tory leadership contender.

But he faced a backlash earlier this month after calling for British jihadists to be hunted down and killed in the Middle East, rather than allowed to return to the UK.

His appointment as successor to Sir Michael Fallon was questioned by Tory MPs due to Mr Williamson's lack of ministerial experience.