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.



[...]





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Received on Mon Jul 21 2008 - 22:04:44 PDT