William Wragg, a Tory MP, has resigned the Conservative whip amid a scandal involving a 'honeytrap' operation that targeted members of Parliament. The scandal came to light when it was revealed that photos of individuals, including those of late teens and unsuspecting professionals, were stolen and used to lure MPs into compromising situations. The police are currently investigating the matter, which has raised questions about the security and integrity of Parliament. The government's majority now stands at 45 following Wragg's resignation, with the Conservative Party at 347 seats (-18), Labour at 200 (-2), SNP at 43 (-5), Independents at 18 (+18), Liberal Democrats at 15 (+4), Others at 26 (+2), and one seat vacant (+1). Critics have pointed to this incident as a reflection of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's leadership, with some suggesting that Wragg's decision to resign rather than being dismissed is indicative of Sunak's inability to manage his party effectively.
EXCL w/@phill_kemp Met police were first aware of 'honeytrap' messages late last year. Parliamentary security were also informed. But MPs weren't warned. Some were then targeted this year👇 https://t.co/ru8dAk0kvf
Met Police knew about Westminster 'honeytrap' messages last year https://t.co/EDP6NPVR3h
A Westminster sex scandal, William Wragg resigning the Tory whip and the hunt for the honey trapper. What on earth is going on in the House of Commons? Listen now with @ManveenRana and @breeallegretti on The Story ⬇️ https://t.co/AP9wxKYM74
This is quite an allegation against William Wragg. Portrays him as more than just a victim. It should be investigated by the Standards Commissioner and not brushed under the carpet. @HoCPrivileges @HoCStandards #Wragg #Honeytrap https://t.co/YdplBUdX3V
'William's done something foolish and far worse than what I did and he's been called courageous'. Reform UK MP, Lee Anderson, reacts to the support Tory MP, William Wragg, received from party members after being ousted in a honeytrap scandal. https://t.co/wk3WVWIxel
We are working to stop those responsible for causing the most extreme harm to women and girls. Through precise data led methods we are identifying a more complete timeline of offending - helping us to bring predators to justice and prevent further harm. https://t.co/6GQa9XroDj
The Met is reprioritising how it protects the public from harm and transforming how it safeguards the vulnerable and combats violence against women and children. Since August 2023, officers have arrested 60 of these most harmful suspects, with 24 convicted so far using a new… https://t.co/ODsfT0ROM0
"He's one of these Westminster characters, who's a bit of a shadowy figure behind the scenes." Isabel Oakeshott is frustrated that honeytrap scandal MP William Wragg is still in the House of Commons on "the taxpayers' dollar." @TVKev | @thatalexwoman https://t.co/N6M06QXKfr
PM defends handling of Wragg case - after MP embroiled in sexting scandal quits Tories https://t.co/ug9YvHrkBb
Former Tory adviser Charlie Rowley slams the political ‘conspiracy theories’ surrounding MP William Wragg’s involvement in the ‘honeytrap’ scandal. The same Charlie Rowley who was complicit in urging Ministers to resign from Boris Johnson’s government 🤔 https://t.co/gQL0K2nCAg https://t.co/hLtIVFHOv4
Watch: Dramatic police body-worn footage shows moment sex predator Marcelino Goncalves is arrested 🎥 The arrest comes after a Met project was launched that aims to transform the way sex crimes are investigated by using counter-terrorism tactics against the perpetrators. https://t.co/CraZiDYV7D
Moment one of London’s worst sex predators is snared using counter terror tactics https://t.co/rJcvCzNyZF
‘People can judge me if they want to judge me on that,’ says Rishi Sunak when challenged it’s a sign of weakness he didn’t sack William Wragg - he might as well agree he’s weak https://t.co/JnwoY7MWrm
Sarah: William Wragg, who put his colleagues & the country's security at risk, had to sack himself... doesn't that show a complete lack & failure of leadership by yourself? Rishi Sunak: There's a police investigation... Angela Rayner... 🤦 #LBC https://t.co/JF32tF786U
'William Wragg had to sack himself.' @NickFerrariLBC caller Sarah asks the Prime Minister if he's shown 'a complete lack of leadership' on the MP honeytrap scandal. https://t.co/Tm1PyZEhb8
LBC caller Sarah asks Rishi Sunak why William Wragg had to “sack himself” in a dig at the PM’s "lack of leadership" Wragg resigned the Tory whip last night after admitting he leaked colleagues' phone numbers in 'honeytrap' scandal https://t.co/dFhwrtuylX
Dozens of suspects responsible for extreme harm to females in London have been arrested in a new data-led scheme being used by the Metropolitan Police https://t.co/3kIYCOHWK1
Met using data to target London's 'most predatory offenders' https://t.co/wK2rFB7We8
Who is William Wragg? The MP at centre of sexting scam scandal Read more 🔗 https://t.co/t9sI5muVIu
Counter terror tactics help snare 24 of London’s worst predators against women https://t.co/IiF3IdRa24 https://t.co/AbFIMr7vga
Three stories: 🔴 Tory MP William Wragg who is at the centre of Westminster sexting scandal quits parliamentary party https://t.co/c6tOEI0dCE 🔴 Games in England, Spain and France go ahead despite alleged terror plots https://t.co/M7q8nTuuKj 🔴Bake Off star Dame Prue Leith has… https://t.co/qlIdYWqUTH
Times investigation: MPs targeted in the Westminster honeytrap were lured in by a scammer using photographs showing two students who were then in their late teens. Images were stolen from the Facebook pages of a financial analyst working in London and a lawyer in Birmingham.…
William Wragg MP has had the sense to resign from the Conservative Parliamentary Party because of the scandal he was involved in. It’s unbelievable that Rishi Sunak didn’t throw him out. A Tory MP says it all “Rishi is so weak Wragg decided he'd have to fire himself instead."
Update Wragg has removed Tory whip himself. So he's now an independent MP. PM Sunak is a pathetic leader. Police are investigating this matter and we should leave them to do their job. Parliament rules, recently changed MPs under investigation may not be allowed to attend. https://t.co/mwAXvy9VEg
"William Wragg resigns the whip" #GrindrGate There's so much more to this Tory story Who and what are the Tories hiding? It will be something significant... you can bet your Partygate hat on it https://t.co/P6un6VtEU4
Westminster honeytrapper used pictures of students as a lure Two unsuspecting professionals had their decade-old images stolen by scammers to trick MPs including William Wragg ⬇️ https://t.co/gqK0zBb1CV
Pat McFadden, Labour’s national campaign co-ordinator, said: “The fact it was left to William Wragg to resign is another indictment of Rishi Sunak’s weakness. He puts party management first every time - and he can’t even do that properly." https://t.co/0GV7s1POjw
🚨 NEW: The Westminster honeytrapper used pictures of late teens to lure in MPs [@thetimes] https://t.co/cyItSSpvOH
Labour spox: "Rishi Sunak is so weak William Wragg had to fire himself." OUCH. ~AA https://t.co/pNsATDG37i
So, the inevitable has happened and William Wragg has resigned the whip. No 10 & 11 look stupid for backing him.
MP who leaked colleagues' phone numbers in 'Honeytrap' scandal resigns Tory whip https://t.co/DGWYDilzhl
William Wragg has voluntarily resigned the Conservative whip admist the honeytrap scandal. The Government's official majority now stands at 45. CON: 347 (-18) LAB: 200 (-2) SNP: 43 (-5) INDs: 18 (+18) LDM: 15 (+4) Others: 26 (+2) Vacant: 1 (+1) https://t.co/T4sjHGIgRj https://t.co/SvAXbV322C
🔴 Westminster honeytrapper stole my photos, man tells police https://t.co/OcPlSiH13x
Former Tory adviser Charlie Rowley slams the political ‘conspiracy theories’ surrounding MP William Wragg’s involvement in the ‘honeytrap’ scandal. “The idea that people are defending Will because he was somehow anti-Boris is for the birds.” @daisymcandrew https://t.co/2gtnYAA0US
🚨 NEW: A man in his late 20s has contacted the police to confirm that photos of him were stolen for the Westminster honey trap [@politico]