Fury over Mandelson ‘cover-up’ after mobile phone stolen – ‘it stinks’ | Politics | News
Downing Street has been accused again of covering up the Peter Mandelson scandal after the phone of a senior adviser investigating the former US Ambassador was stolen; This means text messages relating to former ambassador Lord Mandelson may never be recovered. The phone belonged to Morgan McSweeney, Sir Keir’s former private secretary and a close friend of his disgraced colleague. McSweeney left No 10 last month after critics placed the blame for the Mandelson appointment squarely on his shoulders.
Furious MPs expressed disbelief that critical information may no longer be accessible, with Alex Burghart, Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, saying “important material must be properly transferred into official systems” according to official guidance. He added that Whitehall Mandarins expect “sensitive Government business should not be carried out by non-institutional devices”.
Speaking to the Daily Express, Mr Burghart said: “Last week the Prime Minister refused to answer the most basic questions about what he was doing. This week No 10 is refusing to give even the most basic verifiable details about the Chief of Staff’s phone.” The senior Tory complained that “the whole business stinks from nose to tail” as he repeated his call for “straight answers, not excuses”.
The government was forced to release thousands of documents related to the former US Ambassador’s controversial appointment after it was revealed he maintained a close friendship with American pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Earlier this month, the first tranche of the Mandelson files was revealed to be “missing” a lot of information. This file included a section in his colleague’s official review file that flagged him as a reputation risk and referenced his friendship with Epstein, but was left blank.
The box reserved for the Prime Minister’s comments, which former No10 advisers told the Express he needed to fill in, appears empty. Downing Street has rejected accusations from Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch of a cover-up.
More documents are expected to be released, but no official timeline has been given for when they will be delivered.
A government spokesman said “all government departments, ministers and relevant individuals have been asked to provide any information they have as part of this modest conversation”.
They did not address concerns about potentially missing messages from Mr McSweeney’s phone, which was stolen before a request was made for the messages to be forwarded directly.
The spokesman added: “We are committed to full compliance with Humble Conversation, whilst continuing to support the Metropolitan Police with their investigations.”
Lord Mandelson denies any wrongdoing.
