UK Prime Minister Burnham Exchanged Texts With Person Posing as Trump Chief of Staff

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham briefly exchanged text messages with an unknown individual impersonating Susie Wiles, Donald Trump's chief of staff, a British government official said. The contact was reported on 17 August 2026. No details were given about what was discussed or whether any information was compromised.

Coverage from 2 publishers 2 source reports

NYTGuardian

Andy Burnham, UK Prime Minister, Exchanged Texts With Someone Posing as Trump’s Chief of Staff

Update summary

What changed in this update

2 publishers and 2 source reports documented this archived update.

Source coverage

Source reports

NYT Published 17 August 2026

Andy Burnham, UK Prime Minister, Exchanged Texts With Someone Posing as Trump’s Chief of Staff

Guardian Published 17 August 2026

Burnham exchanged messages with individual impersonating Trump chief of staff

PM was in contact with unknown person pretending to be senior White House aide Susie Wiles, it is understood UK politics live – latest updates Andy Burnham exchanged messages with someone impersonating Donald Trump’s chief of staff, the Guardian understands. The prime minister was in contact with an unknown individual pretending to be the senior White House aide Susie Wiles before concerns were raised about the inci…

More news

Also in the news

Two mass shootings in South Africa leave 27 dead

World 5h ago Updating

Two Mass Shootings Kill at Least 27 in South Africa

At least 27 people were killed in two separate mass shootings in South Africa on Saturday night, police said. Seventeen people were fatally shot at a bar west of Johannesburg and 10 were killed in an attack outside Cape Town. The incidents came amid the country’s struggle with gang-related armed violence and one of the world’s highest murder rates.

6 references

BBCGuardianEuronewsNYTNPR +1

5 Men Arrested on Suspicion of Terrorism Offenses Near RAF Fairford, Air Base Used by U.S.

World 8h ago Developing

Five Arrested in Suspected Terror Plot Near RAF Fairford

British counterterrorism police arrested five men on suspicion of terrorism and explosives offenses near RAF Fairford, a Gloucestershire air base used by U.S. forces. The arrests followed three suspicious vehicles seen heading toward the base early Sunday. Bomb disposal teams examined the vehicles and nearby homes were evacuated.

3 references

NYTNPRTIME

World 5h ago Developing

Northern Ireland: 2,000 protesters block disputed Portadown march

Thousands of protesters blocked a road in Portadown, Northern Ireland, on 27 September, in an attempt to stop an Orange Order parade from entering the mainly Catholic and nationalist Garvaghy Road area.

2 references

EuronewsGuardian

Discovery

See what’s emerging. See what’s changing.

Explore stories gaining momentum and continuing events with new developments.

Explore Discovery