Boris Johnson on March 31, 2021 in London. – Hollie Adams / AP / SIPA
His 06 would be accessible to all… The personal mobile phone number of British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been freely accessible on the Internet for fifteen years, British media reported on Friday, raising concerns for national security in the United Kingdom.
This number, which appears on a press release from 2006 when Boris Johnson was an opposition MP, appears to be the one the Tory leader is currently using, according to the BBC. Downing Street has yet to comment. But the Secretary of State at the Home Office, Victoria Atkins, assured that the Prime Minister “knows more than anyone his responsibilities when it comes to national security”.
“A very precious asset” which must be secured
According to the media, the British senior administration had already recommended that the Prime Minister change his number, without taking action. The fact that the Prime Minister’s personal number is in the public domain “is important” because “it is a very precious commodity,” Peter Ricketts, the UK’s former national security adviser, commented on BBC radio. He considered that it was “in the interest” of the leader to ensure his online security, as more generally high-level politicians “whose telephone conversations are likely to contain sensitive elements” or likely to be. the target of pressure or blackmail.
Labor MP Rachel Hopkins recalled on Twitter that he had raised the issue of Boris Johnson’s number during a parliamentary hearing this week, “for obvious security reasons and lobbying implications, but also the risk of blackmail”.
Boris Johnson’s personal phone number revealed to be available online for the past 15 years.
I raised concerns over continued use personal phone at @CommonsPACACthis week, for obvious security & lobbying implications, but also risk of blackmail. https://t.co/08JXnFr2PN
– Rachel Hopkins MP 💙 (@rach_hopkins) April 29, 2021
Shaken by several scandals
This revelation comes as Boris Johnson is under increasing fire of attacks on his integrity, in particular for exchanges of SMS he had with industrialist James Dyson. In these exchanges dating from the start of the pandemic in March 2020, Boris Johnson had promised to “settle” the tax status of employees of the appliance manufacturer who had to come to the United Kingdom to produce respirators. This affair highlighted the very close links between the conservative power and private interests, and its great availability to respond directly to communications from businessmen.
Among other scandals shaking the government, the Election Commission, regulator of the accounts of political parties, announced on Wednesday the opening of an investigation into the financing of the renovation of the apartment that Boris Johhson occupies in Downing Street. According to the media, the cost of the renovation reached 200,000 pounds (230,000 euros), well more than the 30,000 pounds covered by public funds.