UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is reported to have exchanged messages with someone impersonating Susie Wiles, Donald Trump’s chief of staff. Multiple UK outlets say Burnham contacted the person and later raised concerns that it was not legitimate.
According to reporting cited by those outlets, including Politico, the communications are described as “of no significance,” and Burnham quickly became suspicious. Once concerns were raised, the incident is said to have been reported to the relevant authorities. The timing is unclear across accounts, though one report places it after Burnham enters No 10.
Outlets also differ slightly in emphasis: some describe the event as a “gaffe” or “blunder,” while others focus on the procedural response and the assessment that the messages were not significant. One source also says the UK embassy raised the matter with the White House due to concerns. A UK government spokesperson says they do not comment on national security matters. The reports collectively frame the episode as part of a broader risk of impersonation attempts targeting senior figures linked to the US administration.
