The mystery surrounding the premature release of the UK Budget has taken a new turn, with the head of the Office for Budget Responsibility now suggesting an 'external person' may have been able to access the sensitive documents.
Investigation Launched into Security Breach
Richard Hughes, the chair of the OBR, expressed that he was 'mortified' by the incident which saw the entirety of Chancellor Rachel Reeves's tax and spending plans published online ahead of the official announcement on Wednesday. The serious security breach has prompted a swift and full investigation.
In a revealing interview on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Hughes provided a crucial detail, stating: "The documents weren't published on our webpage itself. It appears there was a link that someone was able to access - an external person." He emphasised the urgency of the situation, confirming that the probe will involve Professor Ciaran Martin, the former head of the National Cyber Security Centre, to provide expert insight into the potential cybersecurity failure.
Political Fallout and Leadership Stakes
The political repercussions were immediate, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves reportedly left 'fuming' by the leak. However, in a significant show of support, Ms Reeves publicly stated on Thursday that she retains confidence in Mr Hughes, despite labelling the event a 'serious error' and a 'serious breach'.
Mr Hughes himself has placed his position on the line. At an event with the Resolution Foundation think tank, he confirmed he would resign if the Chancellor and the Commons Treasury Committee lost faith in him. "Personally, I serve day-to-day subject to the confidence of the Chancellor and the Treasury Committee," he said. "If they both conclude, in light of that investigation, they no longer have confidence in me then, of course, I will resign."
A Promise of Swift Resolution
The OBR, a body normally held in high regard, had initially attributed the early release to a 'technical error' within the organisation. The new focus on an external actor deepens the complexity of the case.
Mr Hughes assured that the investigation is already underway and is expected to report its findings by early next week. He stressed, "We take Budget security incredibly seriously, which is why this investigation is already under way and will report very swiftly." The Chancellor has echoed this demand for a rapid conclusion, insisting that such a breach "must never happen again."
