The Metropolitan Police has confirmed an investigation is underway after MPs were sent unsolicited messages in a targeted honeytrap scheme.
Scotland Yard said: “Officers from the Met’s Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command are carrying out an investigation following reports that a number of unsolicited messages were sent to MPs over recent months.
“We are working closely with other forces and are in contact with colleagues in Parliamentary Security, who are providing support and advice around anyone affected.”
It comes as Downing Street warned politicians to be “sceptical” of unsolicited messages.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said he would not comment specifically on the recent revelations as they were the subject of an ongoing police investigation.
But he added: “It’s clearly important for anyone in public life to be sceptical of unsolicited communications.”
Last week, a second Conservative MP claimed to have been targeted in the parliamentary honeytrap sexting scam after MP William Wragg said he had been sent explicit images.
Bosworth MP Dr Luke Evans said he was the victim of “cyber flashing” and was the member who first alerted police to the issue.
He joins Conservative colleague William Wragg who also said he had been targeted by a number sending unsolicited explicit images and messages over WhatsApp.
Mr Wragg said on Thursday he was “manipulated” into giving the personal phone numbers of colleagues to a man he met on dating app Grindr.
On Monday cabinet minister mel Stride said Mr Wragg was guilty of “exceptionally inappropriate and ill-advised” behaviour when he passed on the phone numbers of colleagues to a blackmailer.
Several politicians were contacted by a person who alleged they had previously met.
The honeytrap sexting scam has been described as “spear phishing”, a type of cyber attack that targets specific groups.
Spear phishing involves scammers pretending to be trusted senders in order to steal personal or sensitive information.
The Standard has approached William Wragg for comment.
