The Metropolitan Police have initiated an investigation into a series of unsolicited, flirtatious messages targeting MPs, staff, and journalists in Westminster, aiming to uncover a suspected information-gathering operation.
The Metropolitan Police have launched an investigation into a series of unsolicited messages aimed at individuals in Westminster, identified as a potential “honeytrap” operation. These messages, reportedly flirtatious in nature, targeted MPs, staff, and journalists, aiming to elicit personal information and potentially compromising images. The scandal, which started to emerge in late 2022, led to further scrutiny this year following an increase in reported incidents.
Former Conservative MP William Wragg was notably impacted, alleging he was manipulated into divulging fellow colleagues’ phone numbers, which eventually prompted his resignation from the Tory whip. The initial response by the police last year to reports from the Commons security staff was minimal, as they did not view these incidents as part of a broader offensive. However, the scale of the problem became clearer with the recent surfacing of additional allegations.
The targets of these messages, including MPs Dame Andrea Jenkyns and Luke Evans, reported receiving communications from individuals using aliases like “Abi” or “Charlie,” who appeared to be well-informed about their careers and campaigns. Despite the lack of immediate action, the Metropolitan Police now acknowledge the coordinated nature of this campaign and have reassured the public of their commitment to securing the safety and privacy of all impacted individuals.
This has raised significant concern among the affected MPs and journalists, with some expressing dissatisfaction about the initial handling and lack of communication from the authorities. The ongoing investigations and heightened awareness aim to mitigate the vulnerabilities within the political environment in Westminster.
