By GB News (Politics) | Created at 2026-08-18 13:57:00 | Updated at 2026-08-18 14:43:35
1 hour ago
Andy Burnham is likely to have messaged Russia or Iran after contacting someone impersonating a key aide to Donald Trump, a security expert has warned.
The Prime Minister exchanged messages with someone posing as Susie Wiles, Trump's White House chief of staff, before concerns were raised.
Professor Anthony Glees, a highly regarded intelligence and security expert at the University of Buckingham, is now warning the blame likely lies with Mr Burnham's security staff.
He believes they failed to warn the Prime Minister that Ms Wiles's phone had been compromised in May 2026.
Professor Glees also argued the real concern is that the exchange ran over a period of time and so likely touched on matters of national and international significance.
On who was behind the deception, Professor Glees told The Daily Express: "The most obvious culprit is likely to be the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps intelligence service, they are very good at this kind of thing.
“We know they have been on rampage in the USA and we know that the FBI have failed to contain the threat they pose.
“But it could be the Russians, it could be the Chinese. I think the implications could be truly serious.”
Andy Burnham addressed the messages during a visit to the West Midlands
PA
Ms Wiles was previously targeted by a cyber espionage unit associated with Iran's Revolutionary Guards in 2024.
Ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson was also the subject of a prank call by a Russian pretending to be the then-leader of Armenia.
Lord Cameron even found himself joining a video call with an imposter posing as the former President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, while serving as Foreign Secretary.
Speaking during a visit to the West Midlands, the Prime Minister dismissed the suggestion he should be embarrassed for his text message blunder.
The IRGC has experience in hoax calls, the security expert warned
Mr Burnham said: "No, I'm not. There was a minimal exchange.
"Nothing of consequence, and actually, quickly, I realised that this needed to be reported.
"And I did so. I handled it in the right way... I did everything right.
"There was a minimal exchange of information of zero consequence, and it was quickly reported.
Russia was also identified as a potential culprit
The Prime Minister added: "The correct action has been taken here and in the US."
However, a source close to the White House suggested No10 alerting Washington about the incident proved the blunder remains a problem for the Prime Minister.
"Traditionally, there would be a trusted chain of communications between British and US officials to make sure all communications were secure and formal," they said.
"Of course, they're gonna say it's inconsequential, but it was clearly big enough that they alerted people to it."
Revelations about the Prime Minister's text message blunder also came shortly before three Cabinet ministers' phone numbers were found online.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting, Justice Secretary Alex Norris and Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Bryant all had their mobile numbers leaked.
Mr Streeting is understood to conduct his Government business on a device authorised by Whitehall.
A Government spokesman also said: “We do not comment on national security matters.”
