Cabinet Office to Request Mandelson's Personal Phone Messages in US Ambassador Probe
The Cabinet Office is set to formally request that Peter Mandelson supply messages from his personal phone as part of an ongoing investigation into his appointment as Keir Starmer's ambassador to the United States. This move follows a parliamentary humble address, a procedure used to compel the release of correspondence, and aims to gather comprehensive information about the selection process.
Background and Parliamentary Pressure
In February, MPs forced the government to commit to publishing tens of thousands of documents after controversy erupted over Prime Minister Keir Starmer's awareness of Mandelson's connections to Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted child sex offender who died in 2019. Mandelson, a political appointee rather than a career diplomat, was dismissed from his Washington role in September last year due to these links.
According to sources within Number 10, a team of officials is actively collecting communications, including WhatsApp messages and emails, from all individuals who had contact with Mandelson. While Mandelson has not yet been asked to hand over messages from his personal device, officials confirm that this request is part of the planned process. A Number 10 source stated, "This is a significant administrative process. There is a determination in government to comply in full with the humble address, but there is a process to follow. We want to get this out there as soon as we can."
Concerns Over Lost Information and Security Oversight
Concerns have been raised that key exchanges related to the appointment may have been lost following the theft of Morgan McSweeney's mobile phone last year. McSweeney, who was Starmer's chief of staff and has since left Downing Street, did not disclose his role when reporting the theft, as revealed in a transcript released by the Metropolitan Police in an unusual move to correct misreporting.
However, the Guardian understands that the Cabinet Office retains a number of text and email exchanges between McSweeney and Mandelson. A tranche of McSweeney's correspondence is expected to be released publicly as part of the Mandelson files. Parliament is currently in recess, and the gathered information will be presented to the intelligence and security committee to assess any national security implications before release. The Metropolitan Police will also oversee the information to ensure it does not interfere with a separate investigation into allegations of misconduct in public office involving Mandelson.
Political Reactions and Statements
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed regret over the appointment, telling Sky News's Electoral Dysfunction podcast, "I hate the fact that I made a mistake over the appointment of Mandelson. I dwell on it. I beat myself up about it. Nobody has been harder on me in relation to the mistake I made there than me. It's certainly not a mistake I'd ever repeat."
On the Conservative side, a spokesperson for leader Kemi Badenoch noted that she had "raised an eyebrow" regarding accounts of the phone theft. Starmer dismissed suggestions that the theft was connected to the push for document release as "far-fetched."
This investigation highlights ongoing scrutiny into political appointments and transparency within the UK government, with further developments anticipated as the Cabinet Office proceeds with its inquiries.
