http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/labour/2437340/Downing-Street-aide-in-Chinese-honeytrap-sting.html
By Andrew Porter
Political Editor
21 July 2008
The aide to the Prime Minister met the woman in a disco in Shanghai
during a trip to China with Mr Brown earlier this year.
The unnamed official went back to his hotel room with her and the next
morning reported that his mobile phone, which also contained his emails,
was missing.
Gordon Brown's aide would not be the first official whose romantic
leanings overcame common sense in Shanghai, if the allegations of a
“honey-trap” prove true.
Three years ago, always difficult relations between China and Japan sank
to a new low when Tokyo alleged that one of its diplomats based at the
Shanghai consulate committed suicide after a “honey-trap” operation.
The diplomat had pursued an affair with a hostess at a karaoke bar, and
had allegedly been blackmailed by China's extensive security apparatus.
The claims were denied as “smears” by the Chinese government.
According to diplomats, all senior visiting officials are warned to take
no chances with security when they come to China. In particular, they
are told to be careful with electronic devices - classified information
should be left behind if possible - and to assume that mobile phone
conversations will be eavesdropped.
It is a general rule that Blackberries may not hold or be used to access
classified information.
[...]
Received on Tue Jul 22 00:04:44 2008