Harman backs Boris - thanks to hackers

Harriet Harman has defected from the Labour Party and is asking Londoners to back Boris Johnson's bid to become London mayor. That, at least, was the message posted on the deputy Labour leader's official website this morning. However, it soon became apparent that Harman had been the victim of a hacker, who had gained access to her site overnight.

Not content with putting the following headline on her news page - "Harriet Harman resigns from Labour. Defects to Tories (Press statement)" - the hacker also put up one of Johnson's "Back Boris Johnson for Greater London" posters (see picture).

Harman's people were quick to react. The site has now been taken down - a message says the page is being generated, but nothing appears.

"It is unbelievable that her digital security is so weak," says a Westminster source. "I mean if they can hack the deputy PM they can hang anyone, even Gordon Brown."