Bet-gate is dominating the headlines – but an old scandal has now reared its head again. The Metropolitan Police this morning arrested a man in his mid-20s in connection with the Westminster ‘honeytrap’ affair. He was taken into custody in Islington, London on suspicion of harassment and committing offences under the Online Safety Act. The man has been identified as a Labour party member, and has been suspended by the party. Labour has said it cannot comment due to the police investigation.
The arrest comes three months after nearly two dozen men, mostly working in politics or journalism, revealed in April that they had received unsolicited, flirtatious WhatsApp messages from people calling themselves ‘Charlie’ or ‘Abi’.
Explicit images were exchanged in some cases. William Wragg, the-then MP for Hazel Grove, resigned the Conservative whip after revealing that he gave his fellow MPs’ phone numbers to a man he met on a dating app because he was ‘scared.’ Luke Evans, the then-Conservative MP for Bosworth, subsequently contacted the police after declaring that he was ‘a victim of cyber-flashing and malicious communications’. Other victims to have come forward included Henry Zeffman, the BBC’s chief political correspondent. All MPs and staff received a letter from Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Commons Speaker, encouraging those who had received unsolicited messages of this kind to contact the parliamentary security team.
There had been no further developments until today, with questions still remaining as to the identity and motives behind the ‘honeytrap’ attempts. In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said: ‘On Wednesday, 26 June, police executed a warrant at an address in Islington. A man was arrested on suspicion of harassment and committing offences under the Online Safety Act. He was taken into custody where he remains. The arrest relates to an investigation being carried out by the Met’s Parliamentary Liaison and Investigation Team following reports of unsolicited messages sent to MPs and others. The investigation remains ongoing.’
Westminster’s attention is currently focused on the election but today’s arrest is a reminder that the wheels of justice continue to turn regardless. As candidates battle to be returned to parliament next week, the honeytrap saga serves as a reminder of the risks and temptations that will greet them there.
