Metropolitan Police Publish 999 Call Transcript in Morgan McSweeney Phone Theft Case
The Metropolitan Police have taken the highly unusual step of publicly releasing a full transcript of the 999 emergency call made by Morgan McSweeney, Sir Keir Starmer's former chief of staff, reporting the theft of his mobile phone. This unprecedented disclosure follows mounting political pressure and media scrutiny surrounding the incident, which occurred in central London on 20 October last year.
Location Error and Investigation Review
During the emergency call, Mr McSweeney incorrectly stated the theft location as Belgrave Street in Tower Hamlets, east London, rather than the actual site on Belgrave Road in Westminster. This critical error, uncovered through subsequent media inquiries, led police officers to review incorrect CCTV footage from the wrong borough. The force has admitted this mistake resulted in them concluding there were no viable lines of inquiry to pursue at the time.
The Metropolitan Police have confirmed that neither the call handler nor responding officers were aware of Mr McSweeney's professional position or the potentially sensitive nature of material stored on the device when the report was initially filed. The handling of the entire case is now undergoing formal internal review.
Government Phone and Tracking Attempts
The published transcript reveals key exchanges between Mr McSweeney and the emergency operator. When asked about tracking capabilities, Mr McSweeney explicitly stated: "I do. It's a Government phone." He further explained he had already contacted his office to initiate tracking procedures before calling emergency services.
During the call, Mr McSweeney provided his full name, a personal email address, and a home address located outside London. The transcript documents his account of the theft occurring approximately two minutes before he placed the emergency call, after which he chased the perpetrator and contacted his office.
Political Fallout and Lost Communications
The theft has significant political implications as it potentially resulted in the loss of key message exchanges between Mr McSweeney and Lord Peter Mandelson regarding the latter's controversial appointment as British ambassador to the United States. These communications cannot be examined due to the device being stolen and reportedly not backed up, contrary to government guidance requiring senior officials to preserve official communications.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has publicly characterized the situation as "a cock-up rather than conspiracy," emphasizing that Mr McSweeney could not have anticipated Parliament would later demand publication of all relevant messages in such an unprecedented manner. Mr Streeting acknowledged that this incident would likely lead to tightened protocols and reiterated expectations for ministers, special advisers, and officials regarding communication preservation.
Broader Context and Ongoing Investigations
Lord Mandelson, a political appointee rather than career diplomat, was dismissed from his Washington role in September last year following revelations about his connections to convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, who died in 2019. Downing Street has been compelled by MPs to release tens of thousands of documents related to the appointment process, with the first batch published earlier this month and more expected to follow.
The Cabinet Office is understood to possess some messages exchanged between Mr McSweeney and Lord Mandelson, though significant gaps remain due to the stolen device. Some material related to the case may be withheld from publication due to an ongoing police investigation into allegations of misconduct in public office or concerns raised by Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee regarding potential risks to national security and diplomatic relations.
Mr McSweeney resigned from his position as the Prime Minister's chief of staff last month, with many observers attributing his departure to pressure stemming from his role in advancing Lord Mandelson's controversial ambassadorial appointment. The released transcript adds another layer to this complex political saga that continues to unfold.
