British PM exchanged messages with Trump chief-of-staff impersonator

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham engaged in a series of messages with an individual posing as White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, according to POLITICO, citing four anonymous officials. The BBC News confirmed this exchange. Burnham, who assumed office in July, communicated with the impersonator, though the content of the exchanges was deemed inconsequential, quoted one source.

The prime minister's office at 10 Downing Street declined to provide immediate comment, but a spokesperson stated they would not discuss national security matters. The BBC corroborated the story, noting that the conversation was merely a back-and-forth of messages, and no verbal communication took place between Burnham and the prankster.

The specifics of the exchanged messages and the dates of the interactions remain undisclosed. In May, CBS News reported that someone accessed Wiles' personal cellphone, using her contacts to contact other high-ranking officials while pretending to be her, leading to an FBI investigation. The White House emphasized the seriousness of cybersecurity for all staff, stating they were still investigating the matter.

Concern grew within the British government that Wiles might have been hacked again, with the U.K. Embassy in Washington informing the White House, according to POLITICO. The White House clarified that Burnham's exchange with the impersonator was unrelated to the actual hacking of Wiles' devices, without offering further details.

The British Foreign Office did not immediately respond to CBS News' request for comment on the incident. Burnham succeeded former British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who led his Labour Party to victory in a recent election, on July 20.