Maria Miller MP targeted in DCMS Twitter hack

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has been subjected to a Twitter hack, used to target MP and secretary of state for the department Maria Miller.

The Department of Culture, Media and Sport account was hacked at around 7.30pm on Saturday (April 5) with the first post reading: "Seriously though guys which one of us hasn't embezzled and cheated the taxpayer?? #FreeMariaMiller."

This was followed by two more posts:

"Is @Maria_MillerMP guilty? We will let the public decide" and "@Maria_MillerMP is like Robin Hood, she robs the poor to help the rich."

The messages were removed after 15 minutes, but not before they'd been seen by the department's 55,200 followers.

It's unclear whether the account was hacked by professionals or the messages posted by a disgruntled employee. Although the Department of Culture, Media and Sport has yet to make a formal statement about the hack other than to say it had no idea' who was behind the attack, the government department is investigating the matter.

Last week, Maria Miller MP was forced to apologise to parliament after she over-claimed 5,800 expenses for mortgage payments. Prime Minister David Cameron said the matter should be dropped' after the 32-second apology.

In 2012, Maria Miller MP was appointed to the Cabinet as secretary of state for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and minister for Women and Equalities.

As part of her duties, Miller has played a big part in driving the roll out of high-speed broadband as part of the government's initiative to make broadband available to those in rural areas.

The rural broadband plan's progress came under fire last week when it was revealed lead provider BT wasn't being transparent enough when it comes to installing fast internet in areas currently without good service.