The Metropolitan Police has issued a public apology to the victims of the “Westminster Honeytrap” scandal after an email was accidentally sent out, which detailed all the names of the victims. The email was in reference to flirtatious messages sent by an individual by the pseudonyms “Charlie” and “Abi,” which were sent to around 20 members of Parliament, political journalists, and staffers. The force has identified itself to the Information Commissioner in regards to this data breach.
A detective in the Met’s Diplomatic and Parliamentary Protection unit was assigned to provide a case update to 18 possible victims via email regarding the suspect’s changed answer bail deadline, due to a fire at Charing Cross police station. The email was meant to contain the identities of the victimized members under BCC, but instead copied the recipients’ names into the CC section, revealing all recipients’ identities. The BBC has viewed the email but has chosen not to reveal the victims’ names.
The victims, who had chosen to come forward and report the crime, are understandably frustrated. One victim stated that “It will make me think twice about reporting anything to the Met again.” Another alleged victim noted, “Every one of us listed is a victim who now has to weigh up the risk to our reputations of being associated with this all for simply doing the right thing and coming forward when we were encouraged to do so.” Scotland Yard issued a written apology for the mistake and has reasserted that it is reaching out to those involved personally to apologize and provide extra reassurance.
Harassment and crimes under the Online Safety Act were suspected of a Labour member who was arrested by the police in June this year, and Former Conservative MP William Wragg has come forward about the pressures of sharing others’ information. The Metropolitan police has referred the “Westminster Honeytrap” investigation to the Information Commissioner for further review on the next steps to be taken regarding the privacy breach
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