Westminster honeytrap victims in Met Police data breach

The email was sent on Friday afternoon to update 18 people that the date a suspect would have to answer bail was being changed because of a fire at Charing Cross police station.

However, the sender, a detective sergeant in the Met’s Diplomatic and Parliamentary Protection unit, included the recipients’ names in the CC section of the email, rather than BCC, which would have concealed their identities.

The BBC has seen the email, and will not be naming those included as recipients, however they include members of parliament, political journalists and Commons staff.

A senior Met source accepted a data breach of this kind would normally result in a referral to the Information Commissioner, who has the power to issue penalties or fines under data protection laws.

One of the alleged victims told the BBC: “It’s infuriating to have your personal details released in this way.

“It will make me think twice about reporting anything to the Met again.”

A Labour member was arrested by police on suspicion of harassment and committing offences under the Online Safety Act in June this year.

Former Conservative MP William Wragg has spoken out about how he was left suicidal after feeling pressured into sharing others’ details.