Prime Minister Andy Burnham exchanged messages with an unknown individual pretending to be Donald Trump's chief of staff, Susie Wiles, before the deception was uncovered. No sensitive information was shared, and the suspicious behaviour was promptly reported to the relevant authorities.
Incident flagged to White House
According to two officials who spoke to Politico, which first reported the story, the British embassy in Washington raised the matter directly with the White House. The UK Government declined to comment, with a spokesperson saying: "We do not comment on national security matters."
Previous targeting of Susie Wiles
The Wall Street Journal reported last year that the FBI had launched a probe into attempts to gain access to Ms Wiles' phone, after an unidentified individual contacted prominent Republicans and senior business figures while posing as her.
Timing and details unclear
It remains unclear when the messages were exchanged or what was discussed between Mr Burnham, who became Prime Minister on 20 July, and the individual behind the deception.
