Ex-Chancellor Philip Hammond was targeted by hackers while dealing with poisoning in Salisbury

India-based computer hackers have targeted former Chancellor Philip Hammond as he deals with the aftermath of the poisonings in Salisbury, it emerged last night.

Hackers believed to have been ordered by European businessmen have targeted the top politician during tense Brexit negotiations and during the investigation into Russia’s Novichok attack in April 2018.

3

3

The Sunday Times reported that the hacker gang known as WhiteInt, from the Indian tech town of Gurugram, also targeted Liz Truss’s chief of staff, Mark Fullbrook, while he was working for lobbyists during the Brexit referendum campaign.

More recently, the gang are said to have targeted the BBC’s new politics editor, Chris Mason.

They are all believed to have been hired by a Switzerland-based investigator.

According to the newspaper, Qatar was their biggest client, targeting critics of the upcoming World Cup.

Last week it was reported that thousands of secret texts by Liz Truss could be in the hands of left-wing British newspapers after her phone was hacked.

Sources close to the former prime minister fear private messages have been leaked to rivals and foreign states for at least a year.

It comes after reports that her cell phone was compromised by suspected agents of Russia when she was foreign minister.

Ministers refused to deny the reports but did not comment further amid fears that doing so would enlighten enemies even more about how Britain’s security services work.

A former MI6 chief yesterday warned ministers need more cyber education.

Sir Alex Younger said top politicians are not being educated enough about the dangerous security threats that could hit their phones.

He told Times Radio that there is no such thing as a totally secure phone, but added: “The level of education isn’t high enough and I think people aren’t focused enough on the risks to their security and their devices.

“These are hidden threats that are not properly understood. I think that applies to clergymen just like everyone else and it is very important to make sure that they are properly trained.”

3