Police in Islington, north London, have arrested a man as part of an investigation into “honey trap” messages sent via WhatsApp targeting politicians, officials, and journalists in Westminster. The arrest, under suspicion of harassment and offenses related to the Online Safety Act, follows reports of unsolicited messages since April. According to reports, the messages initially posed as encounters at political events, displaying detailed knowledge of the targets’ activities before transitioning into sexually explicit conversations and requests for compromising photographs.
Although no evidence links the activity to state espionage, concerns heightened in Britain following warnings about China’s cyber targeting of democratic institutions. The investigation, prompted by a Politico report, found that the messages shared similarities in their approach, feigning familiarity with the recipients and progressing to intimate exchanges. MPs from both major political parties, including Conservative MP William Wragg, have been among those targeted, with some admitting to inadvertently sharing colleagues’ phone numbers under pressure.
William Wragg disclosed to The Times newspaper his encounter with the perpetrator, admitting to sharing contacts due to pressure and manipulative tactics. The case underscores broader concerns about cybersecurity and personal privacy in political circles, raising questions about the vulnerability of high-profile individuals to digital manipulation and exploitation. As the investigation continues, authorities are gathering statements from those targeted to understand the full extent and impact of the alleged harassment and privacy breaches.
