The defence secretary has said he “understands (the) threat very well” and would never disclose sensitive information on an insecure line after being targeted by a suspected Russian hoax, a colleague has said.
Ben Wallace had “some pretty tough questions” for his department which arranged the video call with an imposter posing as Ukraine’s prime minister, James Heappey told Sky News.
The defence minister said the exchange had been “pretty bland”, as it was taking place on Microsoft Teams, which can be easily intercepted.
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The fraudster pretended to be Ukrainian PM Denys Shmyhal
When the fake Denys Shmyhal started asking details about the UK military, Mr Wallace immediately became suspicious and cut them off.
The cabinet minister, himself a former soldier, went public about the attempted sting because of fears the Kremlin may try to distort any footage or audio material from the call.
Russia has a track record of using information as a weapon aimed at undermining or attacking an opponent.
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Mr Heappey said: “I think that the secretary of state has asked some pretty tough questions of the department as to how that was able to happen.
“He acknowledges very much that it shouldn’t have done but Ben is a guy that understands threat very well.”
Mr Heappey added: “He spent a long time as our nation’s security minister before he was promoted to be the secretary of state.
“He was acutely aware that he was on a Microsoft Teams call and therefore, he would not ever disclose any sensitive details on a platform that can be very easily intercepted and listened into.
“And the call, therefore was pretty bland I think from what Ben was explaining to me.
“When the call started to ask more pointed questions about our intentions militarily in the region. Ben knew full well that that’s not the sort of question that anybody would normally ask on Teams. And so he became pretty suspicious and terminated the call.”
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Russia ‘indiscriminately’ attacking city
Home Secretary Priti Patel has also revealed she was recently targeted by a hoax caller.
The security breaches have prompted a cross-Whitehall inquiry.
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Reacting to the failed ruse, Mr Wallace said: “No amount of Russian disinformation, distortion and dirty tricks can distract from Russia’s human rights abuses and illegal invasion of Ukraine.
“A desperate attempt.”