An MP who gives out colleagues’ numbers to blackmailers. Isn’t William Wragg just right for this Tory party? | Marina Hyde

The most recent scandal in Westminster is a hot topic right now, but I won't give away any spoilers. It's still developing and something you should keep an eye on. However, one person who's been caught in the middle of it is William Wragg, an MP from Hazel Grove in Greater Manchester. He's also the chair of the public administration and constitutional affairs committee. At just 36 years old, William is considered a "senior Tory" due to something he's done, maybe his tendency to demand that other politicians resign for moral reasons. But being an MP since 2015 means you've witnessed five different prime ministers. So maybe being called a "Tory grandee" is more appropriate.

This is what we know about Wragg's situation. He met someone on Grindr and they had a conversation that resulted in compromising material being collected about Wragg. Instead of contacting the authorities right away, Wragg decided to give the other person the contact information of other MPs, Westminster employees, and political journalists. This resulted in the other person receiving photos from these new targets fairly quickly. Astonishingly, at least two MPs even responded by sending explicit images of their own.

Last Thursday evening, Wragg admitted his mistake to the Times. He shared that he was a victim of a spear-phishing attack where the attacker had sensitive information about him. The attacker relentlessly contacted him and asked for contacts. Wragg gave some of his contacts but not all of them. He requested that the attacker stop but the attacker continued manipulating him. Because of his fear, Wragg regrets that he ended up hurting other people by being weak. He feels embarrassed and apologetic that his actions caused pain to others.

Okay then. This isn't one of those apologies that aren't really apologies. No, this is a real apology where Wragg acknowledges his serious weakness as the main cause of the problem. But, as sorry as he is for what happened, just apologizing isn't going to cut it. Wragg is already stepping down at the next election, but he really needs to recognize the urgent need for a by-election. On a positive note, if Hazel Grove is lost now, it would decrease the number of Tory seats that are expected to be lost in the general election.

It's extremely dreadful to provide the phone numbers of MPs to a person who intends to blackmail or harm them, particularly in this era where security is essential. This situation is not just regrettable; it has the potential to be much more disastrous than that. We're not dealing with an easily duped senior citizen struggling to understand modern technology; instead, the individual in question is a 36-year-old who was born and raised with digital technology.

It's possible to think that sending pictures has become so common nowadays that politicians wouldn't mind if their pictures got leaked. However, the details of this story indicate that they would mind a lot, but still did it. It's an old story presented in a modern way, but the older version usually resulted in criticism for a good reason.

We don't have much information about who might be responsible for this. According to reports, the Leicester police are looking into harmful messages that were sent to an unnamed member of parliament. It's disheartening to see so many MPs automatically assuming that this is the work of a foreign government. And if it does turn out to be a foreign government, it's concerning that they were able to manipulate politicians so easily. This was not a sophisticated spy operation.

People of various ages are grappling to comprehend how Wragg, alongside other unnamed MPs, became easily involved in recent controversies. The public is concerned about the quality of these MPs, and it is a prevalent topic. While those who have been exploited or threatened are victims, the overwhelming number of scandals in recent years may also cause voters to feel victimized.

It's important to note that both the Conservatives and Labour have people involved in this ongoing situation. However, it's interesting to consider the different extents to which the political parties gather compromising material, whether it be through the infamous "whips' offices" or through the more polite term of "opposition research". Do they ever cross the line into spear-phishing? It's hard to say, as parties tend to avoid talking about this area of research.

Some people seem to be unaffected. However, it's a shame that Reform leader Richard Tice decided to release what he called a "special Easter message" for Tory MP Jonathan Gullis last weekend. Gullis has been known to be quite dim-witted and may even need his phone number leaked to him every day. Nevertheless, Tice publicly posted a message on X, reminding Gullis of the personal information they have on him and advised him to stop attacking him. Hmm...

Richard Tice frequently talks about "draining the swamp", yet he seems to be one of the most corrupt individuals out there. It's unfortunate that people like him are the ones who criticize the quality of Westminster MPs. However, the Wragg incident also shows that we are all guilty of this.

who is known for her witty and scathing critiques of politicians and celebrities. She has a unique writing style that blends humor, sarcasm, and keen insight into the issues she covers. Hyde's articles are often the most-read and shared on the Guardian's website, demonstrating her popularity and influence in the world of journalism. Marina Hyde writes for The Guardian, where she is recognized for her clever and harsh evaluations of public figures and famous personalities. Her writing approach is unlike any other, combining wit, irony, and a deep understanding of the subjects she discusses. Because of her excellent work, Hyde's pieces are frequently the most read and circulated on The Guardian's webpage, illustrating her importance and power as a journalist.

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