British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s personal mobile phone number has been available on the Internet for 15 years – British newspapers reported on Friday, raising concerns about Britain’s national security.
The BBC reports that the Conservative leader still uses the phone number that appeared at the bottom of the 2006 press release when Johnson was a member of the opposition.
The British government responded by reducing the risks to national security. “As far as I know, all safety protocols have been followed”, Finance Minister Rishi Sunak considers “part of making the Prime Minister special is that he is an incredibly approachable individual.”
Interior Minister Victoria Atkins, in a statement to the ITV station, stressed that “the Prime Minister is aware of his responsibilities in the matter of national security” and criticized the communications for revealing that the figure was in the public domain.
This Friday, When the AFP tried to call the number, it sent an automatic message saying the phone had been switched off.
This new revelation comes after Johnson was criticized, and recently his integrity has been questioned, especially by texting British businessman James Tyson.
In the news, he promised to give tax breaks to Prime Minister Tyson in exchange for making ventilators for the country’s hospitals until the onset of the epidemic in March 2020.
The case exposed the close relationship between the conservative government and private interests and their willingness to respond directly to the communications of businessmen.
Peter Ricketts, a former UK national security adviser, commented that Johnson’s personal number was “important” in the public domain because it was “a very valuable asset”.In an interview with the BBC. He stressed the importance of restricting the online release of security sensitive information.
“In particular, I think there may be more responsible politicians, people in subtle positions, people who are trying to put pressure on important things in telephone conversations, important business information, aid, or tax breaks or conversations with foreign leaders,” he said. Said Ricketts.
Among other scandals that rocked the British government, the Election Commission, which regulates the accounts of political parties, on Wednesday announced an investigation into funding works at Johnson’s official residence on Downing Street.
According to the press, the cost of the works was 200 200,000 (close to 30 230,000), which is more than 30 30,000 from public funds.
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