British police are investigating explicit messages sent to a lawmaker as part of an alleged sexting scam targeting MPs, in the latest cybersecurity scare to hit parliament.
Conservative MP William Wragg admitted on Thursday that he had given personal phone numbers of several colleagues to a man he met on a gay dating app.
Wragg, 36, told The Times newspaper that he did so under pressure because the recipient claimed to have compromising material on him.
“I was concerned because he had information on me. He provided me with a WhatsApp number, which is no longer active,” said the MP, who is stepping down at the next election.
“I’ve hurt people by being vulnerable. I was afraid. I’m ashamed,” he was quoted as saying.
The scam is referred to as a “spear phishing” attack, in which apparently trustworthy senders steal personal or sensitive information.
The UK government recently called China’s top diplomat in London to complain about a series of cyberattacks, including against MPs, and previous allegations of espionage against lawmakers by Beijing.
There was no explicit evidence of Chinese involvement in the targeting of Wragg and his colleagues, as reported by Politico this week.
However, this incident will once again raise questions about cybersecurity for MPs and in the UK parliament as a whole.
According to The Times, two MPs also responded to the initial message by sending explicit personal photos.
And Leicestershire Police in central England stated that officers are “investigating a report of malicious communication” sent to a local MP last month.
“They were reported to police on Tuesday, March 19. Current inquiries are ongoing,” a statement read.
AFP
