The British government insisted Sunday it has robust cybersecurity for government officials, after a newspaper reported that former Prime Minister Liz Truss' phone was hacked while she was U.K. foreign minister.
The Mail on Sunday said that the hack was discovered when Truss was running to become Conservative Party leader and prime minister in the summer. It said the security breach was kept secret by then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the head of the civil service.
The U.K. government spokesperson declined to comment on security arrangements, but said it had "robust systems in place to protect against cyber threats," including regular security briefings for ministers. "Was Liz Truss's phone hacked by Russia, was there a news blackout and if so why?" said Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesperson Layla Moran. "If it turns out this information was withheld from the public to protect Liz Truss' leadership bid, that would be unforgivable."