The Metropolitan Police have confirmed they are in discussions with the Cabinet Office regarding the theft of Morgan McSweeney's mobile phone, which occurred in October last year. The former chief of staff to Sir Keir Starmer reported the device stolen but did not disclose his senior government role at the time, according to a transcript of the emergency call released by the force.
The Cabinet Office is understood to hold a number of text and email exchanges between McSweeney and Peter Mandelson, despite the loss of the phone. These messages are expected to be released within weeks, following a parliamentary motion that compelled the government to disclose all correspondence between the pair. Mandelson was sacked as UK ambassador to the US over revelations about his friendship with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The Met Police released the full transcript of McSweeney's 999 call on Tuesday, in an unusual move to correct what it described as misreporting of the incident. The transcript shows McSweeney told the operator the phone was a government device and that he had reported the theft to his office. However, he did not mention his role as Starmer's chief of staff or the sensitivity of the phone's contents.
Police admitted they recorded the wrong address for the theft, initially believing it occurred in Tower Hamlets rather than Westminster. CCTV cameras were examined at the incorrect location, yielding no leads. The force has now reopened the closed investigation and is reviewing the case.
Downing Street confirmed that McSweeney separately reported the theft to government security teams on the same day. Officials declined to say whether the phone's data was backed up or wiped, citing ongoing processes. A spokesperson stated that government phone users are required to record significant information into official systems, but decisions on what to retain are made using professional judgment.
