Boris Johnson’s phone number has reportedly been online for 15 years
(Picture: PA Wire)There is an “increased risk” hostile states could have eavesdropped on the Prime Minister if they had his mobile number, former UK national security adviser Lord Ricketts warned today.
The senior security expert raised concerns following reports that Boris Johnson’s phone number had been online for 15 years.
It comes after it was revealed that Mr Johnson’s details were listed at the bottom of a press release from when he was shadow higher education minister in 2006 – which was still available online in 2021.
Lord Peter Ricketts warned that “hundreds, if not thousands” of people could have had access to it.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I know that modern systems like WhatsApp are end-to-end encrypted - nonetheless, I think one would be worried if a hostile state who had sophisticated capabilities, had the mobile phone number itself.
"That must increase the risk that they’re able to eavesdrop on some at least of the communications that are going on, and possibly other non-state actors as well, like sophisticated criminal gangs.
"So, there is no way of knowing whether that’s true, but there must at least be an increased risk if the number is widely available."
He said it mattered because access to the PM is a “very valuable commodity" and said having his mobile number gave people “privileged access” to him.
Lord Ricketts said it was in Mr Johnson’s own interest to be much more “digitally secure” and for his own protection it was important that access to them is “controlled and monitored”.
Stories earlier this month alleged that civil service head Simon Case had suggested to the PM that he change his number because the current one is too widely known.
Journalists who tried to call the number on Thursday night were met with an automated message saying the phone was “switched off” and an invitation to “please try later or send a text”.
Access to the PM has come under increased scrutiny after a number of lobbying stories emerged that were based on leaked text messages between the PM and figures such as billionaire Sir James Dyson and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Home Office minister Victoria Atkins insisted that Mr Johnson was aware of his responsibilities on national security amid reports that his mobile phone number has been posted online for 15 years.
She told Times Radio: "The Prime Minister – more than anyone – knows his responsibilities when it comes to national security.
"I’m slightly surprised that a national broadcaster felt it appropriate to advertise the fact that that mobile phone is on the internet, if indeed it is. I don’t know."
Asked why the PM did not change his number as the Cabinet Secretary had suggested, she replied: “The Prime Minister’s mobile phone is not really within my remit.
“The moment any Prime Minister walks through that door for the first time they are given national security briefings.
“This is an extraordinary responsibility that he has to bear and he’s fully aware of his responsibilities in that regard.”
She added that she believed the public were not "particularly interested" in the issue.
