Intelligence officials seize Julie Bishop’s phone after MH17 negotiations
The Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop checks her smartphone shortly after her arrival in Kiev. (EPA/SERGEY DOLZHEKO) EPA/SERGEY DOLZHEKO
Australian intelligence officials seized Foreign Minister Julie Bishop’s mobile phone when she returned from her overseas trip where she was leading negotiations to gain access to the MH17 crash site.
The Herald Sun reports her phone was compromised during her two-week trip to the US, Ukraine and Holland.
Although the reason her phone had to be replaced is unclear, there are reports that Australian intelligence officers were made aware of the problem with her phone.
Ms Bishop refused to comment, the Herald Sun reported.
All sensitive communications with cabinet colleagues, as well as intelligence officials and police are thought to have been via secure links, not via the phone.
It comes after Russia slammed Ms Bishop for her “absurd statements” over the downing of the Malaysia Airlines flight.
According to reports, the Russian Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying that the Australian government has "completely lost an adequate picture" of what has been happening in Ukraine.
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