(AP) LONDON — After a publication claimed that former British Prime Minister Liz Truss’ phone was compromised while she was the country’s foreign minister, the British government reiterated on Sunday that it has effective cybersecurity for government employees.
According to The Mail on Sunday, the hack was found in the summer, when Truss was vying to lead the Conservative Party and serve as prime minister. It claimed that the then-prime minister Boris Johnson and the head of the civil service kept the security lapse a secret.
Unnamed sources told the publication that Russian spies were thought to be responsible for the attack. According to the report, the hackers had access to sensitive data, including private communications between Truss and his political buddy, former Treasury Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng, and chats with foreign officials about the Ukraine conflict.
The U. K.
The government has “strong procedures in place to protect against cyber threats,” including regular security briefings for ministers, according to a spokesman who declined to comment on security measures.
Opposition parties called for an impartial probe into the hack and the information leak to the publication.
“Was Liz Truss’s phone hacked by Russia, was there a news blackout and if so why?” said Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesperson Layla Moran.
“It would be inexcusable if it turns out that this material was concealed from the public to support Liz Truss’ leadership campaign.
Yvette Cooper, a spokesperson for the Labour Party on law and order, stated that “the story highlights problems around cybersecurity.”
She told Sky News, “The involvement of unfriendly governments is why cybersecurity has to be taken so seriously by everyone across government.”
“But there are also severe concerns regarding why this material or narrative has been leaked or briefed at this time, as well as allegations regarding whether a Cabinet minister has been utilising a personal phone for important official business. ”.
UK lawmakers urge an investigation into the Liz Truss phone hack claim.
About Author
