Police launch probe after rail minister Huw Merriman’s laptop containing confidential information about train strike negotiations was stolen from Covent Garden pub the day after mass walkout

• It disappeared February, 2 – the same week train drivers went on a mass walkout
• The laptop was wiped remotely of any sensitive information after it was stolen

Police have launched an investigation after a laptop containing confidential information about train strike negotiations was stolen from Covent Garden pub the day after a mass walkout.

The laptop belonged to rail minister Huw Merriman and was taken from underneath his chair in the central London pub, according to the Evening Standard.

The laptop disappeared February, 2 which was the same week train drivers launched their last set of mass walkouts.

The theft came a day after one of the biggest strikes in more than a decade which caused mass disruption across the country. 

Sources close to the Conservative MP for Bexhill and Battle, Mr Merriman claim the theft from the pub in James Street was reported to the police and to government officials as soon as it was noticed around 7.30pm, according to the Evening Standard.

The laptop belonged to rail minister Huw Merriman and was taken from underneath his chair in the central London pub

RMT and Aslef workers from 14 train companies took industrial action on February 1 and 3 in the ongoing dispute over pay and conditions

The Metropolitan police confirmed that the incident was reported to them but there have been no arrests so far. 

Government officials explained the laptop was wiped remotely of any sensitive information- they cannot make any comments on security concerns at the moment. 

The source told the Evening Standard: ‘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.’

RMT and Aslef workers from 14 train companies took industrial action on February 1 and 3 in the ongoing dispute over pay and conditions. 

Rail workers were also joined by teachers, bus drivers, lecturers and civil servants on ‘walkout Wednesday’. 

The Trade Union Congress, which represents a number of unions and 5.5million members, labelled February 1 as a national ‘protect the right to strike’ day. 

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