Prime Minister Andy Burnham reportedly exchanged messages with an individual impersonating Donald Trump's chief of staff, Susie Wiles. The Guardian understands that the Prime Minister was in contact with an unknown person pretending to be the senior White House aide.
Concerns were raised about the incident, though it is understood that no messages of significance were sent. The suspicious activity was quickly reported to the appropriate authorities. According to Politico, the British embassy in Washington was sufficiently concerned to raise the matter with the White House.
A UK government spokesperson stated, "We do not comment on national security matters." It is unclear when these messages were sent or what was discussed between Mr Burnham, who became Prime Minister on 20 July, and the impersonator.
Last year, the Wall Street Journal reported that the FBI had launched an investigation into efforts to access Ms Wiles’s phone after an unknown person, pretending to be her, contacted prominent Republicans and business chiefs.