UK PM Duped by Fake Trump Aide in Text Exchange: Report
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham was duped into messaging an imposter posing as White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, prompting the UK embassy to alert Washington.
Burnham engaged in a brief conversation with someone he believed to be Susie Wiles, President Trump’s White House chief of staff, before suspicions about the contact’s authenticity arose, according to Chris Nesi writing in New York Post, citing four officials who spoke to Politico.
When approached for comment, Downing Street declined to provide details, offering only a terse statement that they do not discuss national security matters. One individual with knowledge of the incident downplayed its severity, claiming that only a handful of messages were sent and that they contained nothing of substance.
Despite these assurances, the British embassy in Washington apparently viewed the matter with sufficient gravity to alert the White House directly, two anonymous officials confirmed.
The incident follows a broader security breach disclosed last May when Wiles’ mobile phone contacts were compromised. The Wall Street Journal previously reported that hack, which triggered investigations by both the White House and FBI after numerous senators, state governors, and American business leaders reported receiving fraudulent communications from individuals claiming to be the chief of staff.
The specific content of Burnham’s exchange with the imposter remains unknown, as does the precise timing of when the messages were sent.
Burnham took office on July 20, replacing the troubled Keir Starmer as Prime Minister. The security gaffe represents an inauspicious start to his premiership, coming within days of assuming leadership of Britain’s government.
With information from New York Post
