Downing Streetauthorities have been instructed to provide private messages from WhatsApp groups that includePeter Mandelson, as the inquiry expands regarding his disastrous appointment as British ambassador in Washington.
Sir Keir Starmerhas experienced increasing pressure regarding claims of a cover-up following the initial release of the Mandelson files this month. Private email exchanges between Mandelson and former No 10 chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, who was instrumental in the appointment, remained undisclosed.
Little Cat, the Cabinet Office’s Permanent Secretary, has sent a letter to officials involved in the decision to appoint Mandelson, requesting them to provide any ‘group chat’ conversations on ‘private devices’.
However, on Saturday night, critics stated that the delay meant the most relevant messages have likely been deleted automatically by now. It is illegal to “hide information with the intention of preventing its release” – but this does not apply to chats that self-delete after a specific time period.
During the continuing police inquiry, the Prime Minister has been questioned about why he did not speak with Mandelson to determine the nature of their relationship with a sexual offender.Jeffrey Epstein.
Instead, he assigned the responsibility to Mr. McSweeney and Matthew Doyle – another associate of Mandelson and director of communications at that time.
To date, only 31 documents and messages concerning Mandelson’s appointment and his removal nine months later have been released – all from official email accounts and none involving Mr McSweeney.
It has been reported that Mr. McSweeney utilized his private email address while communicating with Mandelson prior to his appointment. Sir Keir consented to disclose documents concerning the appointment solely under significant pressure from MPs, with the procedure being monitored by the cross-party intelligence and security committee.
Conservative front-bencher Alex Burghart has recently sent a letter to sleaze investigator Sir Laurie Magnus requesting an inquiry into ‘lost’ communications.
Mandelson was detained last month on allegations of misconduct in a public position as part of a Metropolitan Police investigation into whether he shared government information with Epstein.He has refuted any allegations of misconduct.
In 2024, the Prime Minister was presented with an official report indicating that Mandelson’s connection with Epstein continued following his conviction. Sir Keir subsequently instructed Mr. McSweeney to pose three questions to Mandelson. Lord Doyle reviewed the answers and stated he was ‘satisfied’.
No written documentation exists of Starmer’s choice to appoint Mandelson, which occurred during a meeting without official records.
Alex Burghart, the Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, stated: ‘Officials did nothing as messages and emails were set to auto-delete.’
The Administration keeps hindering Parliament’s intentions by allowing crucial evidence to disappear. Thisappears to be an intentional attempt to conceal No 10’s role in the Mandelson-Epstein scandal.
Number 1: The Prime Minister’s office has denied allegations of a cover-up, yet acknowledged that there are ‘lessons to be learned regarding the broader hiring procedure.’ Number 2: Downing Street has dismissed accusations of a conspiracy, but noted that there are ‘insights to be gained about the larger recruitment process.’ Number 3: Officials at 10 Downing Street have refuted claims of a cover-up, while stating that there are ‘important lessons to be drawn from the wider appointment system.’ Number 4: The official residence has rejected suggestions of a cover-up, but mentioned that there are ‘lessons to be learned in relation to the broader selection process.’ Number 5: The government has denied any attempt at concealment, but highlighted that there are ‘lessons to be taken from the wider appointment procedures.’
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