Probe urged into Truss phone hack claims - POLITICO Europe

2 years ago 42

Claims that erstwhile U.K. Prime Minister Liz Truss’ mobile telephone was hacked by overseas agents portion she was serving arsenic overseas caput indispensable beryllium “urgently investigated,” the absorption Labour Party said.

Private messages exchanged betwixt Truss’ idiosyncratic telephone and overseas officials — including elaborate discussions astir arms shipments to Ukraine — are thought to person been intercepted by overseas agents, the Mail connected Sunday reported, citing information sources.

The paper claimed that the hack was uncovered during this summer’s Conservative enactment campaign, but that details were suppressed by then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Cabinet Secretary Simon Case. Russia was suspected to beryllium down the hack, the study said.

Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, said the allegations were “extremely serious.”

“There are immensely important nationalist information issues raised by an onslaught similar this by a hostile authorities which volition person been taken highly earnestly by our quality and information agencies,” Cooper said successful a statement.

“There are besides superior information questions astir wherefore and however this accusation has been leaked oregon released close present which indispensable besides beryllium urgently investigated,” she said. “It is indispensable that each of these information issues are investigated and addressed astatine the precise highest level and we request to cognize that the authorities recognizes the gravity of this and the value of afloat protecting our nationalist security.”

Responding to the report, U.K. Housing Secretary Michael Gove told Sky News’ Sophy Ridge connected Sunday programme that the authorities had “very robust protocols” successful spot to guarantee the information of governmental communications.

“I don’t cognize the afloat details of what information breach, if any, took place,” Gove said. “I’m definite that the close protocols were followed. I’m definite that much information, arsenic appropriate, volition beryllium released.”

Citing allies of Truss, the Mail connected Sunday reported that the erstwhile overseas caput had been disquieted that revelations astir the hack would compromise her bid to go premier minister, with 1 claiming she “had occupation sleeping” until it was confirmed that quality of the alleged information breach would not beryllium disclosed by the government.