Keir Starmer uses disappearing messages on WhatsApp, No 10 admits after Mandelson files released
Downing Street confirms Sir Keir Starmer is using WhatsApp’s disappearing message feature; This means that conversations between the prime minister and Peter Mandelson may have been deleted or lost.
On Tuesday, No 10 confirmed the prime minister had turned on the controversial feature but insisted Sir Keir had used it in line with guidance, which states it is permissible as long as it does not “affect record-keeping or transparency responsibilities”.
But the admission raised questions about the extent of missing messages between Sir Keir and his former Labor counterpart in the latest installment of the Mandelson files, released on Monday.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “The Prime Minister uses disappearing messages. As you know, some ministers use this function in line with government advice on non-institutional communication channels.”
WhatsApp allows users to set messages to disappear automatically after 24 hours, 7 days or 90 days; This means that past correspondence between the prime minister and Mandelson can no longer be recovered.
According to Tuesday’s statement, there were single-page messages between Sir Keir and Mandelson sent via iMessage rather than WhatsApp.
The disgraced colleague offered advice during the 2024 general election campaign and Sir Keir’s early days in office, and also arranged a meeting between John Major and the prime minister.
On 27 June 2024, Mandelson texted Sir Keir, advising him to focus on the message of “what unites us” in the final week of the campaign. Sir Keir replied: “Thank you Peter. This theme of uniting, not dividing is very strong. People are fed up with politics putting so much pressure on their lives. How does Bury look to you?”
On July 17, weeks after Sir Keir became prime minister, Mandelson texted him to say he was “off to a very flying start” and recommended he invite John Major for a chat after having dinner with him.
Sir Keir replied: “Thanks Peter. It’s great to get on with the job of governing. A million times better than the opposition – you know that! I’ll be reaching out to John M, he’s a very thoughtful man. Hope to see you soon.”
Downing Street said disappearing messages could be used in line with government guidance, but lessons would be learned on record keeping going forward.
The spokesman added: “The Prime Minister fully complied with his humble speech by providing all the information he had.”
The government faced humiliation after releasing a second tranche of more than 1,000 pages of documents related to Mandelson’s ill-chosen appointment as US ambassador.
The documents, which contained thousands of previously private messages between Mandelson and people at the heart of the government, revealed Mandelson’s damning view of the government, warning that Sir Keir’s Downing Street operation was “beleaguered and deprived”.
The documents showed Mandelson “refused to comply” with a request to hand over his personal phone and allow the government to release WhatsApp messages and other information about his appointment.
Work and Pensions Minister Pat McFadden criticized Labor MPs in messages he sent to Mandelson, along with other messages revealing infighting within the Labor Party.
Mr McFadden criticized Labor in Parliament, telling Lord Mandelson: “Every meeting I’ve had there’s a question of ‘who can we tax to benefit others’? They’re asking the wrong questions.”
But the prime minister’s spokesman insisted on Tuesday that Sir Keir remains confident in Mr McFadden.
