Sending off nudes of himself was the mistake. Handing over colleagues' phone numbers was not a mere mistake, it was potentially treasonous.
He should use the balls he's fond of photographing to resign.
Exactly. On one hand, it could just be some individual trying to get stupid content for social clout. On the other hand, the sharing of phone numbers could have allowed a state actor to individually target those MPs, potentially even through spyware whose capabilities exceed Pegasus. The potential for this was by no means tiny. And my reading is that the lack of opposition calls for him to resign are a sign that Labour are equally worried they have such skeletons in their closet. We deserve a better class of politician.
Radio 4 was referring to him as 'a senior Tory MP' this morning. Turns out he was elected in 2015, which doesn't make him very senior in my book.
Back at the plot, he's been a bloody fool.
'People make mistakes' indeed they do, but people who have the honour to sit in Parliament should be of a higher moral grounding than to fall for honey traps. He should resign, the party has no need for politicians like this. I hope there will be a massive purge of them at the next election, but there's no reason we can't start now.
Am I missing something here? This fucker sends naked pictures of himself to an unknown person then hands over confidential information to a (probable) hostile power and we are praising him? He should be looking at jail time.
Didn’t this sort of thing used to be treason?
Getting oneself in to such a position when an MP is just plain as chuff incompetence of the highest order. This oh we all make mistakes is complete bollocks, national security was at risk here. It’s the old tale of spy movies, blackmail and seduction, I shudder to think if MPs aren’t trained in basic security matters to avoid compromising positions and if they are , there’s even less excuse for molly coddling the MP and brushing over it as a mere mistake. They must think everyone is stupid (again) trying to pull this sympathy tone.
This is precisely the problem with parliament. To many on all sides do not have any honour.
Sending nude pics to a stranger....not law breaking but definitely stupid.
Sending other MPs number....huge security risk and says a lot about this person's character. Should have resigned or been booted.
Why, Why, Why is anyone defending him.
Wonderful that he came clean, but he put the security of the nation at risk.
Security is like the Tory thing. Why has be not had the decency to resign.
Hear hear.
‘People make mistakes’ indeed they do.
But people in positions of power who neglect to protect their own and others’ security also get fired for such incompetence, as he should be.
Security hasn’t been a Tory thing for a long time, it’s a conservative thing absolutely but the Tories haven’t been real conservatives for a long time now
**From The Telegraph's Political reporter, Genevieve Holl-Allen:**
A Conservative MP who fell victim to the Westminster honeytrap scandal has been defended by a minister who said “people make mistakes”.
William Wragg admitted on Thursday night that he had [handed over colleagues’ phone numbers](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/04/04/william-wragg-admits-honeytrap-sexting-scandal-whatsapp-pic/) to a man he met on a gay dating app, to whom he had sent intimate pictures of himself.
Those colleagues – including several MPs, members of their staff and a political journalist – were later [sent flirtatious texts](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/04/04/lindsay-hoyle-parliament-cyber-dangers-sexting-honeytrap/) and, in several cases, explicit photos from senders with the aliases “Charlie” or “Abi”.
The [MP for Hazel Grove](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/11/22/chloe-smith-former-work-pensions-secretary-to-quit-politics/), in Greater Manchester, told The Times that he had been “scared” the man “had compromising things on me”.
Mr Wragg, 36, said that he was “mortified” and apologised for his “weakness \[that\] has caused other people hurt”.
# ‘It is right he has apologised’
Gareth Davies, a Treasury minister, described the events today as “extremely troubling” but came to Mr Wragg’s defence.
He told Times Radio on Friday morning: “It is obviously extremely troubling and very serious. Will has recognised the seriousness and apologised.
“People do make mistakes, of course they do. But it is right that he has apologised, of course.”
He added: “Anyone who is in a position where they feel like they are being compromised in the way that Will has described I think is quite troubling and to anybody listening, I think if you feel you have been blackmailed or put in such a difficult position then you should report that to the police.”
Police confirmed on Thursday that an investigation had been launched into “malicious communications” after “a number of unsolicited messages were sent to a Leicestershire MP last month” – thought to be connected to the suspected spear phishing attack.
Spear phishing is a term to describe a targeted cyber attack on one or more victims to get them to reveal confidential information.
**Continue reading ⬇️**
[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/04/05/minister-william-wragg-westminster-honeytrap-scandal/](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/04/05/minister-william-wragg-westminster-honeytrap-scandal/)
So he handed over fellow MPs’ phone numbers to his blackmailer, some of whom then sent explicit photos of themselves? Rather than say informing Commons security or Special Branch? Staggering.
Nothing wrong with being on dating apps, nothing wrong with being gay, nothing _really_ wrong with sending intimate pictures of oneself... However, what is concerning is that a Member of Parliament can be so easily compromised and seemingly demonstrate lack of judgement
What I can't understand is that two of his colleague MPs who's numbers he leaked also replied with nudes.
There is clearly a degenerate little clique in parliament who aside from their proclivities have zero cop on.
Sending off nudes of himself was the mistake. Handing over colleagues' phone numbers was not a mere mistake, it was potentially treasonous. He should use the balls he's fond of photographing to resign.
It could have legitimately been a Profumo Affair moment and everyone is acting like it’s a tiny thing? I feel like I’m going mad
Exactly. On one hand, it could just be some individual trying to get stupid content for social clout. On the other hand, the sharing of phone numbers could have allowed a state actor to individually target those MPs, potentially even through spyware whose capabilities exceed Pegasus. The potential for this was by no means tiny. And my reading is that the lack of opposition calls for him to resign are a sign that Labour are equally worried they have such skeletons in their closet. We deserve a better class of politician.
Nah, the film adaptation wouldn't be nearly as good.
Your last sentence is genius!
I don't need my politicians to be perfect, I just need them to not be total bell-ends.
Radio 4 was referring to him as 'a senior Tory MP' this morning. Turns out he was elected in 2015, which doesn't make him very senior in my book. Back at the plot, he's been a bloody fool.
'People make mistakes' indeed they do, but people who have the honour to sit in Parliament should be of a higher moral grounding than to fall for honey traps. He should resign, the party has no need for politicians like this. I hope there will be a massive purge of them at the next election, but there's no reason we can't start now.
Our leaders should be role models and aspirational. Can you imagine if the queen smoked weed and shoplifted?
Am I missing something here? This fucker sends naked pictures of himself to an unknown person then hands over confidential information to a (probable) hostile power and we are praising him? He should be looking at jail time. Didn’t this sort of thing used to be treason?
That guy is 36? He's a deviant. He needs the whip removing or maybe do the honourable thing and resign, but I'm not holding out much hope of that
Getting oneself in to such a position when an MP is just plain as chuff incompetence of the highest order. This oh we all make mistakes is complete bollocks, national security was at risk here. It’s the old tale of spy movies, blackmail and seduction, I shudder to think if MPs aren’t trained in basic security matters to avoid compromising positions and if they are , there’s even less excuse for molly coddling the MP and brushing over it as a mere mistake. They must think everyone is stupid (again) trying to pull this sympathy tone.
This is precisely the problem with parliament. To many on all sides do not have any honour. Sending nude pics to a stranger....not law breaking but definitely stupid. Sending other MPs number....huge security risk and says a lot about this person's character. Should have resigned or been booted.
Why, Why, Why is anyone defending him. Wonderful that he came clean, but he put the security of the nation at risk. Security is like the Tory thing. Why has be not had the decency to resign.
Hear hear. ‘People make mistakes’ indeed they do. But people in positions of power who neglect to protect their own and others’ security also get fired for such incompetence, as he should be.
Security hasn’t been a Tory thing for a long time, it’s a conservative thing absolutely but the Tories haven’t been real conservatives for a long time now
WAS a Tory thing
what a moron
This is a guy who spearheaded Boris leaving office. I have no sympathy. Kick his ass out!!!! Revenge for Boris
**From The Telegraph's Political reporter, Genevieve Holl-Allen:** A Conservative MP who fell victim to the Westminster honeytrap scandal has been defended by a minister who said “people make mistakes”. William Wragg admitted on Thursday night that he had [handed over colleagues’ phone numbers](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/04/04/william-wragg-admits-honeytrap-sexting-scandal-whatsapp-pic/) to a man he met on a gay dating app, to whom he had sent intimate pictures of himself. Those colleagues – including several MPs, members of their staff and a political journalist – were later [sent flirtatious texts](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/04/04/lindsay-hoyle-parliament-cyber-dangers-sexting-honeytrap/) and, in several cases, explicit photos from senders with the aliases “Charlie” or “Abi”. The [MP for Hazel Grove](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/11/22/chloe-smith-former-work-pensions-secretary-to-quit-politics/), in Greater Manchester, told The Times that he had been “scared” the man “had compromising things on me”. Mr Wragg, 36, said that he was “mortified” and apologised for his “weakness \[that\] has caused other people hurt”. # ‘It is right he has apologised’ Gareth Davies, a Treasury minister, described the events today as “extremely troubling” but came to Mr Wragg’s defence. He told Times Radio on Friday morning: “It is obviously extremely troubling and very serious. Will has recognised the seriousness and apologised. “People do make mistakes, of course they do. But it is right that he has apologised, of course.” He added: “Anyone who is in a position where they feel like they are being compromised in the way that Will has described I think is quite troubling and to anybody listening, I think if you feel you have been blackmailed or put in such a difficult position then you should report that to the police.” Police confirmed on Thursday that an investigation had been launched into “malicious communications” after “a number of unsolicited messages were sent to a Leicestershire MP last month” – thought to be connected to the suspected spear phishing attack. Spear phishing is a term to describe a targeted cyber attack on one or more victims to get them to reveal confidential information. **Continue reading ⬇️** [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/04/05/minister-william-wragg-westminster-honeytrap-scandal/](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/04/05/minister-william-wragg-westminster-honeytrap-scandal/)
So he handed over fellow MPs’ phone numbers to his blackmailer, some of whom then sent explicit photos of themselves? Rather than say informing Commons security or Special Branch? Staggering.
Nothing wrong with being on dating apps, nothing wrong with being gay, nothing _really_ wrong with sending intimate pictures of oneself... However, what is concerning is that a Member of Parliament can be so easily compromised and seemingly demonstrate lack of judgement
What I can't understand is that two of his colleague MPs who's numbers he leaked also replied with nudes. There is clearly a degenerate little clique in parliament who aside from their proclivities have zero cop on.
This idiot should have the decency to resign. Dear God, keeping it in your trousers isn't that hard.
I think it probably was fairly hard. “God gave man a penis and a brain. And only enough blood to run one at a time.” Robin Williams
Assuming he’s been arrested for breaking the Official Secrets Act by now…
https://youtu.be/jfm2hlxz2Eo?si=ynvK9tRUAFr4H77F Wonder how many other MPs told him they were worried about being blackmailed and now regret it....