UK police arrest man suspected of involvement in texting scandal

British media report that the suspect is aged in his mid-20s and is a member of the main opposition Labour Party.

British police have arrested a man suspected of involvement in a plot targeting lawmakers and journalists with flirtatious text messages in an effort to obtain illicit photos that could be used as blackmail.

In a statement on Wednesday, London’s Metropolitan Police (Met) said that a suspect had been arrested, with British media reporting that the suspect is a man in his mid-20s and a member of the opposition Labour Party.

“A man was arrested on suspicion of harassment and committing offences under the Online Safety Act. He was taken into custody where he remains,” the statement reads.

“The arrest relates to an investigation being carried out by the Met’s Parliamentary Liaison and Investigation Team following reports of unsolicited messages sent to MPs and others. The investigation remains ongoing.”

The opposition Labour Party was notified of the arrest of a party member and immediately suspended his membership. The party, widely expected to dominate next week’s upcoming elections, has not commented further, citing an ongoing police investigation.