In a dramatic political confrontation, Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch has defended her involvement in hacking into Harriet Harman's website nearly two decades ago, while simultaneously attacking Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves for recently admitting to a speeding offence.
The extraordinary defence came during heated exchanges in the Commons, where Badenoch claimed the two incidents were fundamentally different in nature and severity.
Seventeen-Year-Old Digital Intrusion
Badenoch acknowledged her role in accessing Harman's website without authorisation back in 2007, when she worked in IT before entering politics. However, she framed the incident as occurring during her "youth" and emphasised that she had never attempted to conceal her actions.
"This was 17 years ago when I was working in IT," Badenoch stated, adding that she had "always been transparent" about the episode that occurred long before her parliamentary career.
Sharp Contrast with Reeves' Offence
The Conservative minister drew a stark distinction between her past actions and Reeves' recent admission of failing to provide driver details for a speeding offence. Badenoch characterised the shadow chancellor's law-breaking as more serious, suggesting it reflected poorly on her fitness for high office.
"The difference here is that the member for Leeds West has actually broken the law," Badenoch declared, framing the comparison as a matter of legal consequence and current responsibility.
Political Fallout Intensifies
The exchange represents the latest escalation in tensions between the government and opposition, with digital privacy offences from years past being weaponised alongside contemporary legal breaches. The debate raises questions about how far back politicians' records should be scrutinised and what constitutes relevant background for public office.
With both major parties now trading allegations about past and present conduct, the controversy shows no signs of abating as the political battle lines sharpen ahead of the next general election.
