Humiliation for Starmer as Mandelson files reveal government by WhatsApp
The prime minister faced a fresh humiliation after the release of the latest part of the Mandelson files revealed the extent to which the government was being run by WhatsApp and exposed both ministerial rows and deep criticism of Sir Keir Starmer’s management.
The publication of more than 1,000 pages of messages about Lord Mandelson’s appointment as Britain’s ambassador to the US reveals his damning view of the government; his disgraced colleague says the prime minister is “lacking enthusiasm” and warns the Downing Street operation is “beleaguered and deprived”.
The publication, which includes thousands of private WhatsApp messages shared between figures at the center of the government, shows him repeatedly giving unsolicited advice to ministers, mocking colleagues and criticizing government actions.
But documents showed Lord Mandelson “refused to comply” with a request to hand over his personal phone and allow the government to publish WhatsApp messages and other information about his appointment.
Meanwhile, in a statement to the House of Commons, the prime minister’s principal secretary, Darren Jones, confirmed that questions put to Lord Peter Mandelson during the review process had been withheld at the request of the Metropolitan Police, along with numerous redactions.
Many of the three-volume documents were left with blank pages and asterisks, as opposition MPs warned against a “cover-up”.
But among a number of controversial statements in the statement was an exchange between Lord Mandelson and Cabinet Minister Pat McFadden, a close ally of the Prime Minister; The pair predicted Sir Keir would not survive the outcry over his plans to drop the welfare bill last year.
While the issue continues to be resolved, Mr McFadden wrote that the situation was “very bad” and warned that many of the options “destroy his (the Prime Minister’s) authority”.
Meanwhile, Lord Mandelson wrote: “I’m not sure Keir can survive this if he pushes for a vote and disappears.”
Other important disclosures in the files include:
- Peter Mandelson told then-foreign secretary David Lammy that he would “never regret” making him US ambassador
- Former US ambassador also tells ministers to act in a more ‘Trumpian’ way to defeat Reformation
- The files show him consoling the former transport minister about the “harsh” exit and then congratulating his replacement
- Ex-Labour member was deeply concerned about UK deal to hand over Chagos Islands, files show
- Lord Mandelson discussed the commissioning of an official government “red box” to give as a gift to President Trump, saying he was “freaking out” over the difficulties in achieving this and likening the “saga” to “something out of the ordinary”. “Thickness”
- Email discussions about how to handle media reports that Mandelson had failed his security clearance were being discussed by FCDO officials two days later. Independent broke the story
In another blow to Sir Keir’s administration, Lord Mandelson warned that it was “beleaguered and bereft” and added that “to get anywhere there needs to be a complete renewal and an infusion of purpose and confidence”.
The files also reveal Lord Mandelson told ministers to engage in more “Trumpian risk-taking and demonic courage” after Labor lost Reform in the Runcorn by-election.
Lord Mandelson said the party’s problems “come from the top and Keir lacks enthusiasm” and in a message to Mr McFadden at around 4am US time on May 3, 2025, said Sir Keir’s former chief of staff Morgan McSweeney was “very confident” the party would win the Runcorn by-election.
He wrote: “I’m afraid it all starts from the beginning, but you all must contribute more to this by breaking the Whitehall system and mold and appearing less businesslike as the usual traditional ministers and behaving, dare I say it, in a more Trump-style risk-taking and audacious manner.”
In another comment, Mr McFadden was seen accusing Labor MPs of focusing on “who we can tax”.
The Work and Pensions Secretary told his former Labor colleague on 23 May 2025 that there had been “a lot of maneuvering here”, including from Angela Rayner and Gordon Brown, and that it “didn’t feel good for Keir”.
At the time, Sir Keir was under pressure over local election results and talk of “strangers island” immigration.
Mr McFadden continued to criticize Labor in Parliament, telling Lord Mandelson: “Every meeting I have is about ‘who can we tax to benefit others’. They are asking the wrong questions.”
Lord Mandelson also weighed in on party politics, claiming Gordon Brown was “involved” in Sir Keir and Rachel Reeves, adding that he thought Ms Rayner was “a tool of destabilisation”.
Elsewhere, his disgraced colleague accused health secretary Wes Streeting of having an “early mid-life crisis” in July 2025 and described him as “pathetic”. He also accused her of being “hysterical” about Israel, saying it “reflects her maturity rather poorly.”
Responding to the latest installment of the dossiers, Labor leadership candidate Andy Burnham, who hopes to return to Westminster by winning the Makerfield by-election later this month, said what was revealed would “further undermine people’s confidence in our political system”, adding that “fundamental culture change” was needed to regain voters’ trust.
Meanwhile, foreign secretary David Lammy revealed he wanted former chancellor George Osborne to take on the ambassador role for which Mandelson was eventually appointed, claiming he had raised concerns to Number 10 about his disgraced friend’s suitability for the role.
Making a statement to the House of Commons following the publication of the files, Mr Jones said: “As the House is aware, the Metropolitan Police have also asked the government to withhold certain material under the motion which they consider could prejudice the ongoing criminal investigation or any subsequent prosecution.”
He added: “No responsible government would want to undermine a criminal investigation and jeopardize the justice it seeks, and I am confident that the House of Representatives will share this position.
“However, I can confirm that this material contains questions put to Peter Mandelson by the prime minister’s then chief of staff, and Peter Mandelson’s answers. “A small number of documents were also retained at the request of the police, generally falling into the following categories.
“First, national security review information, second, conflict of interest for handling the material, and third, internal correspondence regarding Peter Mandelson.
“Such information will of course be released at the end of the investigation or at the point where it will no longer prejudice the police investigation.”
Mr Jones also told the Commons that none of the files in the second tranche of files had been redacted without the approval of the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC), and also that “no government minister or special adviser had identified any of the redactions”.
