In a move that has sent shockwaves through the corridors of power in Washington, Republican Congresswoman Nancy Mace has launched a scathing attack on a British political consultancy, demanding urgent answers from America's top intelligence chief.
In an exclusive letter obtained by DailyMail.com, Rep. Mace has called for a sweeping investigation into the activities of Definer, a London-based digital strategy firm. She has levelled the stunning accusation that the company engaged in "suspicious acts of spying" and may have attempted to meddle in US elections on behalf of its foreign clients.
The Core Allegations: Data Harvesting and Influence Operations
The heart of the controversy lies in Definer's past work for the Pakistani government. Mace's letter, addressed to Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, points to a 2019 campaign where Definer was contracted to improve Pakistan's international image.
According to the Congresswoman, the firm's methods went far beyond simple PR. She alleges Definer employed sophisticated tactics to covertly harvest data on a vast scale, potentially profiling "millions of American citizens" without their knowledge or consent. This data, Mace contends, could have been weaponised to create targeted political advertising and influence US public opinion.
A Bipartisan Concern
Rep. Mace, a figure from the Republican party's conservative flank, has found an ally in Florida Republican Cory Mills, who has joined her in demanding answers. Their collaboration underscores that the issue of foreign interference, particularly from a Five Eyes ally like the UK, transcends typical partisan divides and is treated with the utmost seriousness.
"The possibility that a foreign-owned company… was able to collect data on American citizens without their knowledge is deeply concerning," Mace stated, highlighting the grave national security implications.
Definer's Defence and the Fallout
In response to the allegations, Definer has firmly denied any wrongdoing. The company insists its work was entirely above board, focused on legitimate public relations and promoting a positive narrative about Pakistan to a US audience. They maintain they did not engage in any clandestine data collection or illegal election interference.
Despite these denials, the scandal has already had significant consequences. Definer's parent company, the global communications conglomerate WPP, has since shut down the controversial outfit. Furthermore, the firm is now facing a separate lawsuit alleging it ran a smear campaign against a Pakistani-American businessman, adding another layer of legal complexity to the affair.
This explosive situation raises critical questions about the boundaries of foreign lobbying, the vulnerability of personal data in the digital age, and the ongoing threat of external influence in American democracy. All eyes are now on the US intelligence community to see how it will respond to the lawmakers' urgent call for action.
