Williamson’s timing may have looked suspect but his concern looks a bit more credible after Russia was found responsible for the NotPetya virus that crippled much of Ukraine’s power network last year.
All of the English-speaking states that participate in the Five Eyes military intelligence sharing network have lined up to blame Russia for the attack.
Concerns about security have spread to the smart meter programme, which Smart Energy GB has been quick to rubbish.
However this unease is spreading across the House of Commons. Labour recently made an attempt to prevent the Data Communication Company, which will run the smart meter system, from falling into non-UK ownership.
Labour’s energy spokesman Alan Whitehead argued that it would be prudent to stop the personal information of households and businesses from falling into the hands of foreign companies.
Judging by its response to Whitehead’s intervention, the government is keen to avoid potential restrictions on the DCC’s ownership.
However, when even the outcome of a US election appears to have been influenced by Russian interference, safe rather than sorry looks like an increasingly attractive option.