Man arrested over Westminster honeytrap case after string of unsolicited WhatsApps
A MAN has been arrested today in relation to the Westminster “honeytrap” sexting scandal as cops carried out a warrant at a London address.
Flirtatious WhatsApp messages from mysterious figures calling themselves “Charlie” or “Abi” began targeting at least 12 men in political circles from September last year.
The man has detained on suspicion of offences under the Online Safety Act and harassment.
William Wragg, then an MP, resigned the Conservative whip after saying that he gave the phone numbers of fellow MPs to a man he met on a dating app because he was “scared”.
Hazel Grove MP Mr Wragg said he was sorry for his “weakness” in responding, and resigned from his role leading the Commons Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee and as vice-chairman of the 1922 Committee, and chose to surrender the Conservative whip.
Other victims included then-Conservative MP for Bosworth, Luke Evans.
Dr Luke Evans called for a full review of Parliament’s system of investigating incidents reported by MPs.
The Met confirmed in April it was investigating reports of the unsolicited messages.
The force would not give his age, as is usual practice when someone is arrested.
A spokesperson said today: “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.”