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The Metropolitan Police has apologized to the victims of the Westminster “honeytrap” scandal after it mistakenly sent an email containing all of their names.
The force said it was referring data watchdog the Information Commissioner over the breach.
The Met is investigating salacious messages sent by someone calling himself “Charlie” or “Abby” to more than 20 people, including MPs, staff and political journalists.
A detective sent an email to potential victims to update them on the case, but inadvertently copied everyone involved, revealing their names and email addresses to the recipients.
The email was sent on Friday afternoon to update 18 people that the date on which a suspect must answer bail is being changed due to the fire at Charing Cross police station.
However, the sender, a detective sergeant in the Met’s Diplomatic and Parliamentary Protection Unit, included the recipients’ names in the CC section of the email instead of BCC, which would have concealed their identity.
The BBC has seen the email, and will not name the recipients, but they include MPs, political journalists and Commons staff.
One of the victims reportedly told the BBC: “To have your personal details released like this is outrageous.
“It would make me think twice about reporting anything to Matt again.”
Another alleged victim said: “To be honest, I feel sick knowing that my name is now being floated around in relation to this whole story.
“Each one of us is a victim who now has to weigh the risk to our reputation to be associated with all of this just to do the right thing and come forward when we were encouraged to do so.
“There’s been no communication to say there’s been a mistake – and all this is for what’s basically another holding email. It’s exhausting.”
In a statement, Scotland Yard said: “An email relating to an ongoing investigation was sent in error today. [Friday].
“We recognize the impact on those involved and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience.
“A referral has been made to the Information Commissioner’s Office and we await advice on next steps.
“Officers will personally reach out to those affected to apologize and offer reassurance.”
A Labor member was arrested by police in June this year on suspicion of harassment and an offense under the Online Safety Act.
Former Conservative MP William Rigg has spoken of how he was left to commit suicide after feeling pressured to share details of others.
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