Prime Minister Keir Starmer is confronting serious allegations of a cover-up today following revelations that crucial messages between his former chief aide and Lord Mandelson have vanished. The discussions, which occurred on a mobile phone that was reportedly stolen, cannot be retrieved for publication alongside other materials related to Mandelson's controversial appointment as US ambassador.
Transparency Move Sparks Controversy
Sir Keir was compelled to initiate a transparency drive last month after a revolt by MPs who were outraged that Mandelson's long-standing friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein had been overlooked. The disclosure was intended to include all emails and text exchanges between No. 10 figures and Mandelson prior to his appointment as US envoy in December 2024.
Missing Phone Raises Suspicions
The first batch of documents released earlier this month revealed that the Prime Minister received a vetting assessment highlighting Mandelson's 'close' links to Epstein. However, the absence of messages from Morgan McSweeney's phone has fueled accusations of a deliberate cover-up. McSweeney resigned as No. 10 chief of staff last month, taking 'full responsibility' for advising Sir Keir to appoint Mandelson.
Government Denials and Political Backlash
Communities Secretary Steve Reed denied any cover-up this morning, emphasising that McSweeney's phone was stolen last year and reported to the police at the time. 'I don't know what he does or doesn't have in terms of backups, but his phone was stolen and he reported it at the time,' Reed stated in an interview with LBC.
In contrast, Tory frontbencher Alex Burghart told the Sun on Sunday: '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.'
Epstein Links and Political Fallout
The anger stems from documents showing that government vetting flagged Mandelson's connections to Epstein before his appointment. Sir Keir came perilously close to being ousted last month amid a wave of fury over the affair. He has since admitted, 'It was me that made the mistake,' and offered an apology to Epstein's victims.
Due Diligence Report Details
A three-page 'due diligence' report supplied to Sir Keir on December 11, 2024, explicitly noted the ties between Mandelson and Epstein. The Prime Minister did not personally speak to Mandelson before the appointment, instead delegating aides to inquire about his Epstein associations.
Mandelson's Legal Troubles
Lord Mandelson was arrested on February 23 on suspicion of misconduct in public office, accused of passing sensitive information to Epstein during his tenure as business secretary under Gordon Brown. He was subsequently bailed, later had his passport returned, and remains under investigation. Mandelson has denied any criminal wrongdoing or acting for personal gain.
The missing messages have intensified scrutiny on Sir Keir's administration, raising questions about transparency and accountability in high-stakes political appointments. As investigations continue, the Prime Minister faces mounting pressure to address the allegations head-on and restore public trust.
