Sir Keir Starmer has said it is a “little bit far-fetched” to link the theft of Morgan McSweeney’s phone to the release of files relating to Lord Mandelson.
The Prime Minister’s former chief of staff’s phone was stolen, meaning his messages with the sacked ambassador to the US have likely been lost.
The device is government-issued, and was reported stolen after Mandelson’s sacking.
Prior to the robbery, Parliament forced the Government to publish all papers and communications relating to his appointment and time in office.
Asked whether the phone’s disappearance was a deliberate move intended to cover-up any potentially damaging texts for the government, Sir Keir replied: Well, the phone was stolen. It was reported to the police.
“There’s a transcript of the call in which Morgan McSweeney gives his name, his date of birth, the details of the phone and the police confirm that it was reported.
“Unfortunately, there are thefts like this. It was stolen. It was reported at the time and the police have acknowledged and confirmed that that is what happened.”
He added: “The idea that somehow everybody could have seen that sometime in the future there would be a request for the phone is, to my mind, a little bit far-fetched.”