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

London : Andy Burnham exchanged messages with somebody impersonating Donald Trump’s chief of staff, it has emerged.

The British prime minister messaged a person posing as Susie Wiles, who is considered the most powerful woman in the White House.

The incident, first reported by Politico , prompted such concern in the British embassy that officials raised concerns with their White House counterparts.

Downing Street sources admitted that Burnham had been in contact with the impersonator but claimed the messages were not of significance.

However, the messages will nonetheless raise concerns about national security.

British officials are said to have feared that Wiles’ phone had been hacked again, after an impersonator reportedly texted and called her contacts in May 2025 to ask for cash and presidential pardons. Wiles privately told colleagues that her personal cell phone was hacked and mined for executive contacts.

The FBI launched an investigation after the breach in which the impostor supposedly sent a series of text messages and phone calls to Republican politicians using artificial intelligence to mimic her voice.

The White House said at the time that it took the cybersecurity of all staff “very seriously”, while the FBI insisted all threats against Trump were treated with the “utmost seriousness”.

The timing and content of the messages between Burnham and the impersonator remain unknown.

However, they could have been sent any time from mid-June, when Burnham returned to Westminster following his victory at the Makerfield byelection .

Former British prime minister Keir Starmer resigned four days after the contest to make way for his successor, who stood for the Labour leadership unopposed.

It is understood Burnham did not speak on the phone to the impersonator, and that the suspicious activity was quickly reported to the appropriate authorities.

Last year American intelligence services warned of an “ongoing malicious text and voice campaign” where actors impersonated senior US officials to target individuals.

US authorities have previously accused hackers acting on behalf of Iran in the final months of Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign.