Sir Keir Starmer has stated that it is «a little bit far-fetched» to suggest that the theft of Morgan McSweeney’s phone was connected to the release of files regarding Lord Mandelson. The government is under scrutiny after it was revealed that the phone belonging to the former chief of staff of the Prime Minister was stolen, potentially resulting in the loss of messages exchanged with the dismissed ambassador to the US.
The government-issued device was reported stolen after Mandelson’s dismissal but before parliament mandated the government to disclose all documents and communications related to his tenure. When asked if the disappearance of the phone was part of a cover-up, Sir Keir responded by confirming that the phone was indeed stolen and reported to the police. He emphasized that the police had verified the report and that such thefts are unfortunately not uncommon.
Addressing the speculation of foreseeing a future request for the phone, Sir Keir dismissed it as unlikely. The controversy surrounding McSweeney’s phone stems from its theft in late October 2025, a month after Lord Mandelson’s termination as ambassador following revelations of his close ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
The phone’s significance lies in the messages exchanged between the two individuals, prompting the government to release the so-called Mandelson files. Defence Secretary John Healey affirmed that proper procedures were followed after McSweeney reported the theft to the police promptly.
Sir Keir made these comments during a press briefing in Finland, where he is participating in the Joint Expeditionary Force military summit. The Prime Minister highlighted the dual conflicts in Iran and Ukraine, stressing the need for allied discussions on further actions.
Later today, Sir Keir Starmer will engage in an exclusive interview with political editor Beth Rigby for Sky News’ Electoral Dysfunction podcast. The full interview will be available on Friday morning at 6 am. Listeners can access the podcast on various platforms by searching for Electoral Dysfunction and subscribing. Additionally, the interview will be viewable on Sky News’ YouTube channel from 6 am.
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