The Metropolitan Police are revisiting a closed investigation into the theft of Morgan McSweeney's phone after admitting they recorded the wrong address when he reported the crime. Keir Starmer's former chief of staff told police his phone was stolen in central London on 20 October last year, according to The Times.
The phone is believed to hold messages relating to Peter Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador, which could be lost if the device remains unfound. Earlier, the Met said they were 'too busy' to investigate the theft, despite the phone potentially containing sensitive information.
McSweeney resigned in February over his role in Mandelson's appointment. All senior ministers, civil servants and special advisers have been asked to have their phone messages examined, but the theft of McSweeney's work phone means his WhatsApp messages and texts to Mandelson cannot be accessed.
Thousands of documents in the second tranche of the Mandelson files are expected to be released after Easter. The releases were forced by a parliamentary motion after Mandelson was sacked as US ambassador in September, following new details about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
A Met spokesperson said the incident was initially recorded as taking place in Belgrave Street, E1, but should have been Belgrave Road, Pimlico. The force will now amend the report and reassess whether there is available evidence, including CCTV.
