Tag Archive for: Boris

Boris Johnson accused of having his mobile number available online in ‘security breach’

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The Prime Minister has been accused of having his mobile phone number available online.

Downing Street has refused to deny that a “well-publicised security breach” in April 2021 that led to the Prime Minister not having access to his old phone was that it was revealed his telephone number was publicly available.

In April last year the cult newsletter Popbitch claimed Boris Johnson’s mobile number was still available on press releases online from when he was shadow higher education minister in 2006.

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In his letter to Lord Geidt published on Thursday, the PM said “security issues faced at the time meant I did not have access to my old device” and he could not recall exchanging messages with Tory peer Lord Brownlow.

A spokesman for the Prime Minister said: “It’s longstanding policy that we don’t get into matters relating to security.”

It comes as Downing Street was heavily criticised for messages sent over the revamp of a flat.

Boris Johnson has been accused of lacking care for the role of his ministerial standards adviser as he was told it was “plainly unsatisfactory” that messages between the Prime Minister and a Tory donor were not disclosed in an investigation into the refurbishment of his Downing Street flat.

Lord Geidt told the Prime Minister of his “grave concern” that the missing messages were not provided to him when he was investigating how the flat redecoration was funded, or when Mr Johnson’s old phone – where the messages were stored – was accessed in June last year “for another purpose”.

And he said the incident had “shook his confidence”.

Mr Johnson said he offered a “humble and sincere apology” but that he did not recall the exchange with Tory donor and peer Lord Brownlow.

Downing Street has defended taking two weeks to publish letters between Boris Johnson and Lord Geidt.

The most recent letter between the pair was dated December 23, but was not released until January 6.

A spokesman for the Prime Minister said: “We’ve taken steps to publish as quickly as possible, now that Parliament has returned.”

He said it was “important” the letters were published while Parliament was sitting and added:…

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Security experts voice alarm over Boris Johnson’s number being online

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Fears were raised today that Boris Johnson is at risk of hacking by Russia or China after the revelation that his mobile number has been freely available online for 15 years.

Former UK national security adviser Lord Ricketts is among those warning of the threat from ‘hostile states’ after the PM’s personal number was highlighted by a popular gossip site.

Downing Street refused to say whether Mr Johnson will now be changing the number. There were claims earlier this month that Cabinet Secretary Simon Case had advised him to switch following concerns over the ease with which lobbyists and others from the business world were able to contact him.

Former UK national security adviser Lord Ricketts said Mr Johnson needs to be more ‘digitally secure’ – saying there was an ‘increased risk’ of potential action by hostile states or criminal gangs if a phone number is widely available.

The number, which the PM hasn't changed in the 15 years since, is available on the internet

The number, which the PM hasn’t changed in the 15 years since, is available on the internet

‘I know that modern systems like WhatsApp are end-to-end encrypted – nonetheless, I think one would be worried if a hostile state who had sophisticated capabilities, had the mobile phone number itself,’ he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

‘That must increase the risk that they’re able to eavesdrop on some at least of the communications that are going on, and possibly other non-state actors as well, like sophisticated criminal gangs.

‘So, there is no way of knowing whether that’s true, but there must at least be an increased risk if the number is widely available.’

Home Office minister Victoria Atkins tried to play down the issue, criticising the media for highlighting the number’s availability.

‘The Prime Minister, more than anyone, knows his responsibilities when it comes to national security,’ she told Times Radio Breakfast.

‘I’m slightly surprised that a national broadcaster felt it appropriate to advertise the fact that that mobile phone is on the internet, if indeed it is.’

Popular gossip newsletter Popbitch gave its readers clues on how to find the Prime Minister’s number, pointing them to a press release from his time as MP for Henley in 2006. 

The number, which the PM hasn’t changed in the 15 years since, is…

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Britain must boost cyber-attack capacity, PM Boris Johnson says, Telecom News, ET Telecom

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Britain needs to boost its capacity to conduct cyber attacks on foreign enemies, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said before the publication of a national security review next week.

“Cyber power is revolutionising the way we live our lives and fight our wars, just as air power did 100 years ago,” Johnson said in a statement released by his office on Saturday.

Johnson is due to present a long-term review of national security strategy to parliament on Tuesday which media reports suggest could lead to a reduction in armed forces personnel.

“The review will set out the importance of cyber technology to our way of life – whether it’s defeating our enemies on the battlefield, making the internet a safer place or developing cutting-edge tech to improve people’s lives,” Johnson’s office said.

In 2019, Britain spent $59 billion, or 2.1% of national income, on defence, more than any other large European country but far below the 3.5% of income spent by the United States.

Britain has invested heavily in costly aircraft carriers in recent years and maintains nuclear weapons, but its ground forces have shrunk since the Cold War ended.

Some British media have reported that the review will call for the number of army personnel to be reduced by a further 12,500 to around 70,000.

The defence ministry said on Saturday that talk of cuts “at this stage is speculation”.

Johnson said the National Cyber Force – including spies, defence officials and scientists – would have a permanent base in northern England as the government tries to boost regional development outside London.

The NCF targets threats including foreign air defence systems and the mobile phones of people the government views as serious criminals or terrorists.

It was created last year alongside a dedicated army regiment focused on cyber warfare. In 2016 a National Cyber Security Centre was set up to advise the government and public on how to reduce the risk of cyber-attacks.

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Cyber warfare threatens to take over UK’s Armed Forces as Boris makes ‘bold decision’ – Express

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  1. Cyber warfare threatens to take over UK’s Armed Forces as Boris makes ‘bold decision’  Express
  2. British Army tanks ‘could be scrapped to make way for cyber-warfare’  Metro.co.uk
  3. Military chiefs could SCRAP British Army’s tanks in move to prioritise cyberwarfare  The Sun
  4. The British Army could scrap all its TANKS under a cost-cutting and modernisation plan  Daily Mail
  5. Army could ‘scrap all of its tanks to focus on cyberwarfare threats’  Daily Star
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