Former chancellor George Osborne has called in police to investigate alleged online harassment after a so-called “poison pen” email was sent to guests of his wedding.
Friends say the email – which has since been posted online – is part of a “long-term campaign” of abuse in which an individual has “made up rumours” and engaged in “cyber bullying”.
The ex-MP and his fiancée are said to be “really upset and distressed” by the situation.
Mr Osborne married his former Treasury adviser Thea Rogers in a ceremony in the Somerset town of Bruton – which has been dubbed “the Notting Hill of the West” due to the number of celebrities who live there.
A string of well-known politicians and public figures gathered at St Mary’s Church, on Saturday afternoon, including former prime minister David Cameron, ex-BBC correspondent Jon Sopel and former health secretary Matt Hancock.
Ms Rogers was pictured being shielded from the rain by a number of umbrellas as she arrived at the ceremony.
Thea Rogers with her father Paul before the wedding ceremony
Former prime minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha
On leaving the church, the newly married couple were showered with orange confetti by a smartly dressed woman, who was initially believed to be a Just Stop Oil protester.
The couple looked puzzled, but did not appear to speak to the woman, who was then spoken to by two men.
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Why were the Osbornes doused in orange confetti?
Mr Osborne’s spokesperson said they did not think it was a protest and the individual did not say anything.
The campaign group later tweeted a video of the incident, with the caption: “You look good in orange @George_Osborne – congratulations to the newlyweds.”
The woman who threw the orange confetti
It is understood the couple believe they know the identity of the person behind the email – which was sent to several politicians and journalists on Thursday afternoon.
The individual is not thought to be directly connected to Mr Osborne, and their specific motivation is also unclear.
Former health secretary Matt Hancock was among the guests
Jon Sopel (centre) and Sajid Javid (right)
Michael Gove
Police officers are said to have been investigating the alleged harassment “for some time” with legal action also ongoing.
Osborne, 52, served as chancellor in David Cameron’s cabinet between 2010 and 2016, when Mr Cameron resigned in the wake of the Brexit referendum.
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Former PM David Cameron (left) with George Osborne in 2015
He held several jobs since then, including editor-in-chief at the Evening Standard – a position he left in 2021 to join financial consultants Robey Warshaw. He also serves as chairman of the British Museum.
Ms Rogers joined the Treasury in 2012 from the BBC where she was a producer for then political editor Nick Robinson.
The couple have two children.
