By NewsBlogger A senior Conservative MP faces scrutiny for allegedly leaking colleagues’ phone numbers to an individual from a dating app, sparking concerns about potential security risks and foreign-state involvement.
At a glance
- A senior Conservative MP allegedly leaked colleagues’ phone numbers to someone from Grindr.
- Mr. Wragg admitted to sending the numbers due to concerns about the recipient’s power over him.
- Mr. Wragg will retain the party whip while investigations are ongoing
- MPs have been targeted with unsolicited flirtatious texts, possibly part of a spear-phishing attack
- Concerns have been raised about espionage and foreign-state attacks on the UK democratic system
The details
A senior Conservative MP is under scrutiny after allegedly leaking his colleagues’ phone numbers to an individual he met on the dating app Grindr.
The Vice chairman of the 1922 committee admitted to sending the numbers, citing concerns about the recipient’s power over him.
The situation has been described as “very serious” and “incredibly troubling” by Treasury minister Gareth Davies.
Despite the incident, the MP in question, Mr. Wragg, will retain the party whip while investigations are ongoing.
The Metropolitan Police, in collaboration with parliamentary security and Leicestershire Police, are looking into the matter.
Reports have emerged that staff across Westminster received unsolicited flirtatious texts, indicating a suspected spear-phishing attack.
Mr. Wragg admitted to providing his contact details to an unknown number out of fear of “compromising things,” resulting in two MPs responding by sending explicit images of themselves.
In response to the controversy, Mr. Wragg issued an apology, expressing regret for any harm caused.
MPs have been targeted with late-night texts from an unknown sender claiming to have met them in a bar, with a former MP receiving an explicit image from someone named “Charlie” on WhatsApp.
The revelations have sparked concerns among MPs across the House, with fears revolving around espionage and targeted foreign-state attacks on the UK democratic system.
This comes in the wake of the UK imposing sanctions on China for state-backed cyberattacks and a researcher at Parliament being arrested under the Official Secrets Act for spying for China.
Tory MP Bob Seely has raised suspicions that the incident could be linked to a foreign state, potentially Russia.
Former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith has called for increased security measures in light of the situation.
While Mr. Davies did not confirm whether the party would be launching a formal investigation, Mr. Wragg was approached by a newspaper following concerns and suspicions raised by MPs and parliamentary figures.
The situation continues to unfold, with further developments expected as the investigation progresses.
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| independent.co.uk |
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| – Senior Conservative MP leaked colleagues’ phone numbers to a man he met on Grindr – Vice chairman of the 1922 committee admitted sending numbers after being concerned about recipient’s power over him – Treasury minister Gareth Davies called the situation “very serious” and “incredibly troubling” – Mr. Wragg will keep the party whip while incident is investigated – Metropolitan Police looking into the incident with parliamentary security and Leicestershire Police – Staff across Westminster received unsolicited flirtatious texts in suspected spear phishing attack – Mr. Wragg provided contact details to unknown number due to fear of “compromising things” – Two MPs responded by sending explicit image of themselves – Mr. Wragg apologized for his actions and expressed regret for hurting others – MPs targeted with late-night texts from unknown sender claiming to have met them in a bar – Former MP targeted with explicit image from “Charlie” on WhatsApp – Concerns expressed by MPs across the House about the revelations – Fears around espionage and targeted foreign-state attacks on UK democratic system – UK previously slapped sanctions on China for state-backed cyberattacks – Researcher at Parliament arrested under Official Secrets Act for spying for China – Tory MP Bob Seely suspected sting to be from a foreign state, possibly Russia – Former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith urged authorities to increase security – Mr. Davies did not confirm if party was opening formal investigation into the revelations – Mr. Wragg approached by newspaper after concerns and suspicions from MPs and parliamentary figures. |
