Honeytrap - malevolent forces at work?

Yes I am not sure what I feel about this. I think its quite a weird message to say that those who 'fall' for this are culpable, they are actually the victims of blackmail. Ths happens to young people a lot, partners with whom they have shared photos exploit the situation the people who do it are vile.

I agree, this is a strange case. Reminiscent of the 1960s when discovery of homosexuality could lead to blackmail and ruined careers. On one hand, I recognise his bravery for speaking out, admitting he made a grave error, and apologising, but another part of me feels anger on behalf of those whose details were shared, and I am curious as to who the perpetrator is.

The way I read the article was that not all the people involved had their details shared by William Wragg, so either others have been taken in by the blackmailer(s) and also passed on details, or it’s an organised attempt, and their numbers have been obtained through some other means. It’s potentially going to be a very big story I think.

It seems naive that these people aren't aware that foreign powers are infiltrating our systems. It was on the news only a week or so ago about the Chinese spies.
This is worrying and they need to take cyber security very seriously and not be duped into giving out sensitive information.

Profumo and Thorpe both resigned because they were compromised. I don't see Wragg offering to do so. I question his fitness for government if he was so naive as to send nude photos on such a site. No, I'm not sympathetic.

It is reminiscent of the 60s as HPQ says. I also think he was brave to admit what had happened, but how daft can a grown man with a responsible job be. I doubt an ordinary person’ is behind this.

If MPs kept their pants on they would avoid these controversies. Yes, the Profumo and Thorpe cases come to mind and that was long before dating apps where these foolish men leave themselves open to blackmail and other scandals. Anyone in a position of power ought to know better. Don’t make Wragg out to be a victim.

He’s on the Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee which means he has responsibity for matters including lobbying which has been a very problematic issue under this government. He’s also been a member of the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission which would have made him a target for forces which seek to influence and undermine the democratic process.

He should go.

I’m certainly not making Wragg out to be a victim, but I think this is more than the equivalent of the Profumo or Thorpe cases. What is likely is that Wragg has come forward (so far), but other MPs have done similar (two other MPs so far have been identified, plus other Westminster staff). I’m much more interested in the objective of the targeter(s) than the acts though.

I agree.

I have no sympathy for William Wragg.
His rueful boyish charm and 'sincere apology' do not convince and it is hard to believe that a politician with responsibilities , (1922 committee) and at this crucial time for his party could behave in such a criminally stupid manner.
I despair.

What struck me is the lack of social awareness. If anybody asked me for the phone number of a friend/a colleague etc I’d always ask permission of that person first. Surely that’s just common good manners?

These men are idiots first and foremost.
Do they really think with their dicks?
I may not have supported her politics but could you imagine Margaret Thatcher being such an idiot?
Or for that matter Betty Boothroyd, Theresa May, or Jess Phillips?
I have no sympathy for him,or the likes of him and think he should be sacked without a golden handshake , if not in fact prosecuted under the Defence of the Realm Act.

I think he should go as well.

If not, I would think his Constituency Party will recall him.

I thought if you'd been through a vetting process you are encouraged to be as honest as possible with your employer so you are not open to blackmail? so if he made a mistake he should have been honest straight away and not given further details.

It's not just about him. He won't be the last to be targeted. Foreign powers are trying and succeeding to infiltrate our systems.
The millions of names and addresses stolen on the electoral registers was one such breach. It wasn't noticed for years.

William Wragg is my MP and it’s safe to say about his involvement in the constituency that I didn’t even know he was gay.
He had already stated he is not standing for re-election in the next election.

Remember when Keith Vaz was filmed romping with Romanian rent boys under the guise of a washing-machine repairman and asked them to get their hands on illicit drugs?

He was given a round of applause when he returned to Parliament and treated like a victim. So will Wragg be.

I begin to wonder if there are any decent men in Parliament. So much sleaze.

I feel a bit queasy, having read your post about Vaz, Urms. 🤢

I have no sympathy with Wragg. He’s done a despicable thing in selling his colleagues down the river. Isn’t it breaking data protection laws to hand out other ppl’s info, anyway? I never even pass on my AC contact details without checking with them first.

And explicit photos? A teacher friend says they teach their primary age pupils that you never send anything to anyone that you wouldn’t happy showing to your mum or your school mates.

So if this person had met up with an Mp had sex with them and then blackmailed him would that be ok. People behave stupidly in their sex lives all the time.

As I said I am not sure what I feel about all this. But I dont want gay MPs being blackmailed because they have had sex. Obviously wrong of him to share the numbers but what are we saying here?

Galaxy

So if this person had met up with an Mp had sex with them and then blackmailed him would that be ok. People behave stupidly in their sex lives all the time.

I’m not convinced it is a person. If it is, say, a foreign power using honeytraps to catch as many politicians as they can, and threatening blackmail if people don’t provide them with details of others, it could bring down many more than just Wragg. People can be weak, and politicians are just the same as everybody else - possibly even more so because they are more egotistical than average?

There is something sinister going on here. It's not just about sexploits it's an attack on our democracy and more MPs will be targeted.

Urmstongran

Remember when Keith Vaz was filmed romping with Romanian rent boys under the guise of a washing-machine repairman and asked them to get their hands on illicit drugs?

He was given a round of applause when he returned to Parliament and treated like a victim. So will Wragg be.

Perhaps that's seen as normal behaviour amongst MPs, Urmstongran

Shocking.

Many of them are complete idiots with no scruples, no morals and behave in a degrading way.
The public deserves better.