Starmer defends using vanishing WhatsApp messages after Mandelson files revelation
Sir Keir Starmer has insisted he complied with demands to hand over WhatsApp messages relating to Lord Peter Mandelson after it was revealed the Prime Minister was using disappearing messages on the communications app.
The disappearing message feature on WhatsApp means conversations between the prime minister and Lord Peter Mandelson may have been deleted or lost.
No 10 confirmed on Tuesday that the prime minister had enabled the controversial feature, but insisted Sir Keir used it in accordance with the guidance, stating that this was allowed “as long as it does not impact record-keeping or transparency responsibilities”.
But the admission raised questions about how many messages between Sir Keir and the former Labor member might be missing in the latest installment of the Mandelson files, published on Monday.
The Prime Minister told broadcasters: “I can assure you that I have followed the Humble Talk.
“All the messages I kept were transferred. Like everyone else, I went through the same process.
“And not just in politics, a lot of people use disappearing messages.”
WhatsApp allows users to set messages to disappear automatically after 24 hours, 7 days or 90 days; This means past correspondence between the prime minister and Lord Mandelson can no longer be recovered.
Sir Keir sacked Lord Mandelson in September 2025 after emails were leaked showing his peer sending supportive messages despite Jeffrey Epstein facing prison for sex crimes.
MPs voted earlier this year to require the release of documents relating to his time as ambassador.
The Prime Minister chaired a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday morning after the latest document dump laid bare divisions within the Labor Party.
Monday’s statement included recordings of WhatsApp conversations between Lord Mandelson and Cabinet Minister Pat McFadden, which revealed the minister’s frustration with colleagues.
In May 2025, following local election setbacks and Runcorn’s by-election defeat, Mr McFadden said: “There’s a lot of maneuvering here this week. Angela (Rayner), Gordon (Brown). Doesn’t feel good for Keir.”
He also complained that Labor MPs were “asking the wrong questions”.
“Every meeting I have is about ‘who can we tax to provide benefits for others’,” said Mr McFadden, who becomes Work and Pensions Secretary in September 2025 with responsibility for the benefits system.
In his messages, Lord Mandelson was highly critical of Sir Keir’s operation, saying the Prime Minister had a “lack of enthusiasm” and that Chancellor Rachel Reeves had failed to explain where economic growth would come from.
MPs will have the opportunity to discuss the second tranche of the files on Wednesday.
