- The Washington Times - Monday, September 9, 2013

Prime Minister David Cameron momentarily left alone some of Britain’s top secrets, stored in a little red box, during a train ride over the weekend to Scotland.

The Daily Mirror’s front page photograph on Monday shows the famous box, which is labeled “Prime Minister,” unattended on a train table. Downing Street officials insist the secrets were still safe, The Associated Press reported.

Yet anyone walking by could have peeked through the box, The Daily Mirror said. The box is believed to contain the nation’s military options for Syria, as well as information about Russia, pertaining to disputes over Syria, AP reported.

A statement put out from Downing Street said Mr. Cameron’s security team was still watching the box while it was unattended.

This is not the first British snafu of its kind. British-owned laptops with sensitive and classified information have been discovered on public transportation systems in the past, leading government officials to recommend and enact tougher security regulations.

• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.

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