Government Rail Minister

Sussex MP has laptop containing sensitive strike information stolen from bar

Patrick Barlow
Tue, 21 February 2023 

Huw Merriman, MP for Bexhill and Battle, had his laptop stolen

An MP has had his laptop containing information about rail strike negotiations stolen from a pub.

Huw Merriman, Conservative MP for Bexhill and Battle, had his computer stolen from under his chair in Covent Garden in London.

Mr Merriman, who is also the government rail minister at the Department for Transport, had the work laptop stolen on the same week as thousands of train drivers took industrial action causing widespread disruption.

The theft from the pub in James Street was reported to police at around 7.30pm as soon as it was noticed, the Evening Standard reports.

The laptop was then remotely accessed and wiped of sensitive information following the theft on Thursday, February 2.

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Mr Merriman was approached for comment.

A government spokeswoman said: "We take the security of government devices extremely seriously, which is why devices, such as laptops and mobile phones, are always encrypted so any loss does not compromise security."

Up to November last year, 32 gadgets belonging to MPs were reported lost including phones, laptops and iPads.