Scotland Yard launches investigation into Westminster honeypot news

The Metropolitan Police have launched a formal investigation into messages sent to MPs in the Westminster honeypot scandal.

Police confirmed on Monday that officers from the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command were investigating “unsolicited messages” sent to a number of MPs.

The full investigation comes after police said last week they were assessing reports and contacting colleagues at Leicester Police, who are also investigating “malicious communications” sent to Leicestershire MPs.

Bosworth Conservative MP Luke Evans announced last week that he was the victim of “cyberflash” and contacted police after receiving unsolicited explicit messages via WhatsApp .

His admission comes after Conservative MP William Wragg revealed he was blackmailed into sharing a colleague’s phone number over fears his intimate photos would be leaked.

Large said Thursday he was “manipulated” into giving a co-worker’s personal phone number to a man he met on a dating app.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said on Monday: “Officers from the Metropolitan Police’s Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command are investigating following reports that a number of unsolicited messages were sent to MPs in recent months.”

“We are working closely with other forces and liaising with colleagues across Parliament’s security services who are providing support and advice to anyone affected.”

Dr Evans said in a video posted on Facebook on Friday: “A month ago I was the victim of a cyber flash and malicious communication and when this happened I immediately reported it to the police and council authorities.

“The first set of messages I received was one day when I was with my wife and I received a one-off, explicit photo of a naked lady on WhatsApp. As soon as I received it the next day With this information, the matter was reported to the police, authorities and the Chief Whip.

“Ten days later I received another set of messages but this time my team and I were sitting in the constituency office so we were able to record the conversation and capture photos and videos of the messages, including another explicit image of a woman.”

Leicestershire Police previously confirmed they were investigating a report of malicious communications after a number of unsolicited messages were sent to Leicestershire MPs last month.

A police spokesman said: “They reported the incident to police on Tuesday, March 19. Investigations are ongoing.”

Large, MP for Hazel Grove, Greater Manchester, apologized last week for sharing his phone number with a man he met online because they had “revealed” information about him.

He told frequency: “I was chatting with a guy on an app and we exchanged photos. We were going to meet up for a drink but then didn’t.

“Then he started asking about the number of people. I was worried because he had something on him. He gave me a WhatsApp number but it doesn’t work now.

“I hurt people because of my weakness. I was scared. I was ashamed. I’m sorry that my weakness caused other people to be hurt.”