A significant security breach has exposed the personal mobile phone numbers of at least three senior UK cabinet ministers online. The Defence Secretary Wes Streeting, Justice Secretary Alex Norris, and Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Bryant all had their contact details publicly available alongside their names. Officials are working to remove the remaining numbers from circulation, though Streeting’s listing has already been taken down.
The discovery of this security vulnerability comes in the wake of a separate impersonation incident targeting Andy Burnham. The prime minister was contacted by an individual fraudulently posing as Susie Wiles, former chief of staff to Donald Trump. Burnham exchanged messages with the impostor before the suspicious activity was reported to authorities. No sensitive information was disclosed during the exchange, and British embassy officials in Washington alerted the White House to the breach.
The incidents highlight growing concerns about the security of high-ranking political figures. The FBI previously investigated a similar scheme in which someone impersonated Wiles to contact prominent American politicians and business leaders. Additionally, recent cases involving members of the Trump administration have demonstrated vulnerabilities in secure communications practices, raising questions about adequate safeguards for sensitive government information.
A UK government spokesperson declined to discuss the matter in detail, stating they do not comment on national security issues. Downing Street has not confirmed what preventative measures have been implemented to avoid future breaches of this nature.
Originally reported by Theguardian →
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