RESOLVING THE LEDGER
This is one outlet's own report from The Straits Times — the article as it was filed. Other outlets are covering the same event; open the full story to compare every source side by side.
See the full story · 2 sourcesBritain’s Prime Minister Andy Burnham said nothing sensitive had been discussed in the messages.
Listen LONDON – New British Prime Minister Andy Burnham on Aug 18 confirmed he had exchanged messages with someone pretending to be US President Donald Trump’s chief of staff.
Burnham sent a “few messages” via an unspecified communication channel to a person he believed to be the top aide , Susie Wiles, before becoming suspicious, Politico reported on Aug 17 .
Addressing the hoax while on a visit to the central English city of Wolverhampton, Burnham said nothing sensitive had been discussed in the messages.
Asked if he was embarrassed at being taken in, he said: “No, I’m not, because there was a minimal exchange. Nothing of consequence, and actually, quickly I realised that this needed to be reported, and I did so.
“So I handled it in the right way. All politicians are receiving these pressures and these challenges, but I did everything right,” he told broadcasters.
“The correct action has been taken here and in the US,” he added.
The incident was deemed serious enough for the British embassy in Washington to raise the matter with the White House, according to two sources cited by Politico.
Neither the date nor the content of the exchanges is known.
Burnham succeeded former Labour Party leader Keir Starmer as prime minister on July 20. AFP
AIPROPX is an independent multi-source news index — we track, compare, and connect coverage from across the web into one place you won't find anywhere else.