Tory MP apologises after emailing out spreadsheet of constituents complaining about US post-Brexit trade deal
US President Donald Trump (left) with Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Photograph: Steve Parsons/PA. - Credit: PA
A Suffolk MP has apologised after sending names and addresses of constituents unhappy with a possible US trade deal as an attachment in an e-mail.
The spreadsheet with details of 177 people was attached to the e-mail instead of a leaflet from the government explaining its food standards policies to people who had written to Dr Dan Poulter with concerns about changes to safety in light of UK government negotiations with America.
After the e-mails were sent out, recipients received seven further messages from the MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich's office asking for them to be recalled.
One person who received the e-mail, and wished to remain anonymous, told the East Anglian Daily Times: I'm pretty shocked and appalled that this data has been sent out to so many people without my knowledge or consent.
'They've obviously realised their mistake as they've sent out seven recall e-mail attempts. But something like this really shouldn't be happening, as that's now mine and 176 other people's home addresses and e-mail addresses which have been broadcast for anyone with this e-mail to see.'
MORE: We are being fattened up for a one-way trade deal with Trump
Dr Poulter has reported his own office to the Information Commissioner and insisted it was an 'insolated case'.
You may also want to watch:
He told the local newspaper: 'In the first instance, I would like to apologise unreservedly on behalf of my office to those affected. This is not something that has happened in my office before and the privacy of my constituents and their personal information is a matter of the highest concern to me. Every effort is made to ensure that all personal information is maintained by my office securely and safely.
'While this appears to be an entirely isolated case of administrative error, I have nonetheless asked for an urgent investigation to be conducted in my office and I have immediately contacted the Information Commissioner's Office to seek their further guidance.'
Most Read
- 1 Piers Morgan must expose the government's Brexit betrayal
- 2 Public slams Brexit Party tweet which shames Tory MPs who voted against free school meals
- 3 Brexiteer Prue Leith quits Tory Party after government votes down motion to protect UK food standards
- 4 Peers set to remove law-breaking sections of Boris Johnson's Brexit bill
- 5 Boris Johnson 'frantically repositioning' himself for Donald Trump to lose election
- 6 Boris Johnson warned majority will be 'wiped out' over treatment towards north of England
- 7 UKIP set to select 'Dr Gammons' as candidate for London mayoral election
- 8 James Cleverly mocked after telling people to 'look at how they're doing in Wales'
- 9 Minister says Dido Harding is working '19-hours a day' on Test and Trace
- 10 Michel Barnier postpones Brussels return as Brexit trade talks in London continue
Become a Supporter
The New European is proud of its journalism and we hope you are proud of it too. We believe our voice is important - both in representing the pro-EU perspective and also to help rebalance the right wing extremes of much of the UK national press. If you value what we are doing, you can help us by making a contribution to the cost of our journalism.
