Police launch inquiry into UK parliament ‘honey trap’ scandal

LONDON — British police have launched an investigation into the WhatsApp “honey trap” scandal engulfing Westminster after a formal complaint from a serving MP.

A police spokesperson told POLITICO their force was investigating a complaint of “malicious communications” against an unnamed MP after more than a dozen men working in and around the U.K. parliament were targeted with alluring personalized messages and — in several cases — naked photographs.

The MP responded briefly before realizing he did not know the person and blocked the number. POLITICO is not naming the MP to protect his privacy.

POLITICO previously reported how a serving minister plus multiple MPs, party staffers and political journalists were among those who received unsolicited messages from two suspicious mobile numbers sent by users calling themselves “Abi” or “Charlie.”

Some senior Tory MPs have speculated a hostile state power is behind the campaign, though experts suggested it may be more likely the work of a criminal gang seeking compromising material.

After receiving the complaint from the MP, a Leicestershire Police spokesperson said in a statement: “Leicestershire Police is investigating a report of malicious communications after a number of unsolicited messages were sent to a Leicestershire MP last month. They were reported to police on Tuesday 19 March. Enquiries are currently ongoing.”

The messages received by victims generally followed a pattern: the sender claimed they already knew their target and that the pair had flirted at a specific political event or in a Westminster bar. They then professed embarrassment at not being remembered and, in several cases, sending an unsolicited explicit photo.

The 12 targets confirmed by POLITICO so far so far include three MPs, including a serving minister in the U.K. government; two political journalists; a broadcaster; four party staffers; a former Tory MP; and an All-Party Parliamentary Group manager. The targets span both the ruling Conservative and opposition Labour parties.

Spear phishing suspected

The Guardian reported Wednesday night that it had subsequently identified a 13th target, a former government special adviser.

Alicia Kearns, chair of the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, said hostile state involvement should not be ruled out. She added: “Foreign states are repeatedly crude and amateur in their tactics, sometimes verging on the farcical.”

Experts who reviewed messages to the first six targets had previously told POLITICO they doubted a foreign state was responsible, but could not rule it out.

One said the attack had the hallmark of a “spear phishing” attempt, in which highly personalized messages are sent in an attempt to compromise victims.

The sender of the WhatsApp often seemed to know highly personal information about the targets, including their relationship, employer and details of work trips they had been on.

Those who were targeted have been encouraged to contact the Parliamentary Security Department for advice.

In a statement issued to POLITICO Thursday, a U.K. parliamentary spokesperson said: “Parliament takes cyber security extremely seriously. We provide Members and staff with tailored advice, making them aware of cyber risks and how to manage their digital safety – including on any personal devices and accounts.

“We are encouraging any passholders who have concerns to contact the Parliamentary Security Department.”

At least three of those who received the messages are believed to have taken up the offer.