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UK Prime Minister Johnson’s Phone Number Has Been Available Online for 15 Years, Report Says

© REUTERS / JESSICA TAYLORBritain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during a tribute to HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh in London, Britain,12 April 2021.
Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during a tribute to HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh in London, Britain,12 April 2021.  - Sputnik International, 1920, 30.04.2021
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The news comes after a controversy this month when it became known that the Prime Minister promised in a text exchange to help businessman Sir James Dyson with tax issues as the businessman’s company was planning to work on building ventilators at the beginning of the pandemic.

The mobile phone number of UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been available online for fifteen years.

A press release from the time when the now-Prime Minister was still shadow higher education minister has been available online from 2006 through 2021, according to reports.

Downing Street has declined to comment on the story, first revealed on the Popbitch gossip website.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson attends question period at the House of Commons in London, Britain April 28, 2021 - Sputnik International, 1920, 29.04.2021
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The number was reportedly responding with an automated message saying the phone was “switched off”.

Previously, the Daily Telegraph reported that civil servant Simon Case had suggested that Boris Johnson should change his phone number because it was too widely known. No 10, however, denied these reports.

The availability of the Prime Minister’s number has implications for security, lobbying, and the risk of blackmail, Labour MP Rachel Hopkins said.

Additionally, the Times previously reported that a Universal Credit claimant managed to reach the PM directly "asking for help with their benefit claim" after they got his number from a friend.

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