Liz Truss’s phone was reportedly hacked by suspected Russian spies while she was foreign secretary – leading to calls for the government to urgently investigate

While she was foreign secretary, Liz Truss’ phone was reportedly hacked by
suspected Russian spies, prompting calls for the government to launch an
urgent investigation.
The breach was discovered in the summer, when then-foreign secretary Ms
Truss was running for the Tory leadership, but details were suppressed by
then-prime minister Boris Johnson and Cabinet Secretary Simon Case,
according to The Mail on Sunday.
According to the newspaper, spies suspected of working for Russian
President Vladimir Putin gained access to sensitive information, including
discussions about the Ukraine war with foreign officials, citing unnamed
sources.
It also claimed that private conversations between Ms Truss and Kwasi
Kwarteng criticising Mr Johnson were intercepted by hackers, putting them
at risk of blackmail.
Opposition parties are demanding an investigation into the alleged attack,
which will raise concerns about the UK’s cyber security as well as Mr
Johnson and Mr Case’s judgement.
“There are enormously important national security issues raised by an
attack like this by a hostile state, which will have been taken extremely
seriously by our intelligence and security agencies,” said Labour’s shadow
home secretary Yvette Cooper.
There are also serious security concerns about why and how this information
was leaked or released right now, which must be investigated immediately.
All of these security issues must be investigated and addressed at the
highest level, and we need to know that the government understands the
gravity of the situation and the importance of fully protecting our
national security.
Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats demanded an immediate investigation and
said the allegations raise “serious questions” for Mr Johnson.
Was Liz Truss’s phone hacked by Russia, was there a news blackout, and if
so, why?” asked the party’s foreign affairs spokesperson Layla Moran.
“
It would be unforgivable if this information was withheld from the public
in order to protect Liz Truss’s leadership bid.
“We cannot allow the Conservative Party’s political games to take
precedence over the interests of the country and national security,” she
added.
According to a government spokesperson, “robust systems” are in place to
protect against cyber threats, such as regular security briefings for
ministers and advice on how to protect their personal data.
“We do not comment on individuals’ security arrangements,” they added.