A Labour MP was observed using artificial intelligence to generate replies to constituents’ emails while traveling on public transport, raising concerns about both privacy protocols and the authenticity of parliamentary correspondence.
Mike Reader, the MP for Northampton South, was spotted by a former parliamentary worker during a Chiltern Railways journey to London Marylebone copying constituent emails into ChatGPT and using the AI program to craft responses.
The witness, who had previous experience working in Parliament, expressed alarm at seeing sensitive constituent information accessed in a public setting. They were further surprised to observe Reader transferring entire constituent emails into the AI system and prompting it for appropriate responses.
“He was copying the entire constituent email into ChatGPT, and then asking ChatGPT to respond. I couldn’t believe it,” the source told the Mirror. “You can see ChatGPT giving a response starting with ‘Thank you for raising your deep concerns about the situation in Gaza’.”
According to the observer, Reader’s notes in the parliamentary Caseworker system indicated “ChatGPT generated. Mike approved” alongside the AI-drafted responses. The emails bore Reader’s official signature identifying him as “Labour MP for Northampton South.”
The incident occurred during an evening journey last month, with the witness noting they had never been permitted such practices in their previous parliamentary office experience. “Even responding to constituents on a public train… We would have got slaughtered,” they said.
Sources indicate that Reader was using a privacy screen designed to limit viewing angles while working on the train. It’s understood that the MP and his staff “occasionally” employ “closed AI” systems to draft correspondence, with assurances that personal details are not shared with external systems and all communications are reviewed for accuracy.
Closed AI systems differ from publicly accessible platforms by offering enhanced privacy and security protections, though the use of any AI technology for constituent correspondence raises questions about the personal nature of democratic representation.
The revelation comes as MPs across the political spectrum grapple with integrating artificial intelligence into their parliamentary work while maintaining appropriate standards for constituent services and data protection. Parliamentary authorities have previously urged caution as elected officials embrace new technologies in their official duties.
The incident highlights ongoing debates about transparency, authenticity, and security protocols in modern parliamentary practice as AI tools become increasingly prevalent in professional settings.
