Newly anointed UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham wasted no time stumbling into a national security gaffe when he exchanged messages with somebody pretending to be one of President Trump’s top aides.
Burnham briefly chatted with someone he believed to be White House chief of staff Susie Wiles before he started questioning the legitimacy of the exchange, four officials told Politico
Downing Street would only tell the outlet, “We do not comment on national security matters.”
However, one person briefed on the chat with the imposter said only a “few messages” of “no significance” were exchanged.
However the British embassy in Washington was apparently so concerned about the incident that they informed the White House, according to a pair of anonymous officials.
Wiles’ cell phone contacts were hacked last May, the Wall Street Journal reported, sparking a White House and FBI investigation after senators, governors and US business executives reported receiving messages and calls from someone claiming to be her.
It was not immediately known what Burnham and the imposter discussed — nor when the messages were sent.
Burnham succeeded embattled former Prime Minister Keir Starmer, assuming office July 20.
