Honeytrap scandal that tried to catch out Westminster to be investigated by police
MPs, staffers and journalists were sent salacious messages.
A police investigation has been launched into the Westminster honeytrap scandal, which involved several top figures being sent nudes and flirty messages.
Last week, it was revealed that MPs, staffers and journalists who work in and around parliament had been targeted in an apparent ‘spear phishing’ scheme.
Each received texts from unknown numbers posing as people named ‘Abi’, ‘Charlie’ or ‘Charlotte’, which would then escalate to salacious flirting.
Several were even sent explicit pictures, and asked for some in return – with two MPs reportedly reciprocating.
According to The Times, the government does not believe a hostile state is behind the attack – despite Tory chair of the foreign affairs committee Alicia Kearns suggesting otherwise last week.
Tory MP William Wragg admitted to the newspaper on Friday that he had given the personal phone numbers of several colleagues to a man he had met on gay dating app Grindr.
He said: ‘They had compromising things on me. They wouldn’t leave me alone.
‘They would ask for people. I gave them some numbers, not all of them. I told him to stop. He’s manipulated me and now I’ve hurt other people.’
What is 'spear phishing'?
First of all, ‘phishing’ is the name given to a cyberattack which takes the form of emails, texts or phone calls to trick people into sharing sensitive information.
Just as spear fishing is a more direct, targeted method of fishing, ‘spear phishing’ is the name given to phishing that is aimed at a specific person or group.
The attacks are particularly effective because they are highly personalised and based on research.
This allows the attacker to convince the target they have met in real life – or even assume the identity of someone they already know.
While his comments were praised by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, who described the vice-chairman of the 1922 Committee as ‘courageous’ for speaking out, other Conservatives reacted with fury.
Andrea Jenkyns said his actions were ‘unforgivable’, adding in a post on X: ‘I don’t believe he is ‘brave’ whatsoever! I think he is an idiot for compromising security!’
Mr Wragg, 36, has kept the Tory whip following his apology, but may be forced to sit as an independent if complaints are made.
Among the other politicians affected by the scandal was Luke Evans, the Tory MP for Bosworth, who reported being ‘cyberflashed’ with an image of a naked woman to Leicestershire police.
At least 17 incidents have taken place over several months.
A spokesperson for the Met said: ‘Officers from the Met’s Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command are carrying out an investigation following reports that a number of unsolicited messages were sent to MPs over recent months.
‘We are working closely with other forces and are in contact with colleagues in Parliamentary Security, who are providing support and advice around anyone affected.’
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