Metropolitan Police officers did not investigate the theft of a phone which contained sensitive WhatsApp messages and text exchanges to Peter Mandelson because they were “too busy”.
The device had belonged to Keir Starmer’s former Chief of Staff, Morgan McSweeney, who would resign over the scandal relating to Lord Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador.
Communications stored on the phone are now impossible to retrieve, creating a significant gap in the Government’s mandated disclosure of all electronic correspondence relating to the New Labour architect’s plum diplomatic role.
Last year, Lord Mandelson was removed from his post in Washington after files emerged detailing his relationship with the late paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The disclosures led to the former Labour peer being arrested and released last month on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
Parliament also compelled Downing Street to release its records on Lord Mandelson’s appointment through a humble address motion.
However, the initial batch of documents published on March 11 contained no messages from Mr McSweeney.
The theft of his phone occurred on October 20 last year, as the then chief advisor to the Prime Minister was making his way home from a restaurant in central London.
The Met Police were ‘too busy’ to investigate the theft of a phone containing sensitive WhatsApp messages and text exchanges to Peter Mandelson
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Mr McSweeney told police that an electric bike-riding assailant wearing a balaclava snatched the device from his hands while he was responding to text messages.
Following the incident, the advisor notified Number 10, and the work device was remotely disabled.
He received a replacement phone with the same number the following day, per The Times.
Scotland Yard recorded the incident but never contacted Mr McSweeney directly, simply issuing a crime reference number before closing the case.
The phone had belonged to former Downing Street Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney
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No formal investigation or attempt to retrieve the device was launched as the force remained “too busy” with other matters.
The initial report of the missing device has sparked furious reactions from lawmakers.
Shadow Cabinet Minister Alex Burghart said: “We had to drag the Mandelson files out of Keir Starmer, and now we find the phone of his former Chief of Staff and protege of Mandelson won’t be part of the disclosure.”
“The whole thing stinks of a cover-up,” he told The Sun.
Parliament has compelled Downing Street to release its records on Lord Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador
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The government remains obligated to release all emails, texts and reports connected to Lord Mandelson’s appointment to the Washington posting.
While some communications between Mr McSweeney and the disgraced peer have been located and will feature in published materials, the messages stored on the stolen device cannot be recovered.
A Government spokesman said: “We are committed to complying with the Humble Address in full, while continuing to support the Metropolitan Police with their investigation.”
Mr McSweeney played a central role in securing Lord Mandelson’s ambassadorial position, having personally recommended him for the role and questioning him about his connections to Jeffrey Epstein, the late American financier and convicted paedophile.
The scandal his piled intense pressure on the Prime Minister, prompting Mr McSweeney’s resignation last month
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When the chief advisor resigned on February 8, he accepted full responsibility for advising the Prime Minister to make the appointment.
“The decision to appoint Peter Mandelson was wrong. He has damaged our party, our country and trust in politics itself,” he wrote upon departing Downing Street.
“When asked, I advised the Prime Minister to make that appointment, and I take full responsibility for that advice.”
On March 11, the Government unsealed the first tranche of files, which revealed explosive details of Lord Mandelson’s vetting process.