Downing Street affirm Keir Starmer’s WhatsApp messages are deleted mechanically
Downing Street confirmed on Tuesday the PM uses the disappearing messages function on the messaging services, meaning conversations with the disgraced peer could not be found
The PM’s messages are automatically deleted on Whatsapp(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Keir Starmer’s messages on WhatsApp automatically delete meaning any conversations with Lord Mandelson may have been lost, No10 has admitted.
Only a limited number of text messages between the former US ambassador and the Prime Minister were disclosed in the Mandelson files released to Parliament on Monday. MPs forced ministers to publish more than 1,400 pages of documents surrounding his doomed appointment after explosive revelations about the closeness of his friendship with the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
The vast trove of private WhatsApps and emails revealed the disgraced peer’s influence across Government, where he messaged the cabinet and lobbied for his own interests while also criticising the PM. The Mandelson files are the biggest disclosure to Parliament since the Chilcot Inquiry into the Iraq War, costing the taxpayer £1million.
Defending the use of disappearing messages, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said use of the function was permitted “as long as use of them does not impact record-keeping or transparency”.
The spokesman said: “The Prime Minister does use disappearing messages. As you’ll be aware, some ministers do use that function in line with the Government’s advice on non-corporate communications channels.”
Downing Street insisted the PM had fully complied with the rules around the release of the Mandelson files – even though he used the disappearing messages function, which automatically deletes WhatsApp messages after as little as 24 hours. The spokesman added the PM “has fully complied with the humble address by providing the information he holds, as required”.
They continued: “You have seen messages from Peter Mandelson to the PM in this tranche, that’s alongside multiple references via the Prime Minister’s private office, which is the standard and established route for communicating prime ministerial decisions and handling correspondence.”
Government guidance says significant information and decisions must be properly recorded and preserved, raising questions around the use of automatically deleting messages.
In the entirety of the documents published, there was just one page of exchanges between the Labour leader and Lord Mandelson, made up of nine iMessage text messages. These included suggestions in July 2024 that the PM should meet former Tory leader Sir John Major, and Mr Starmer saying it was “good to be getting on with the job of governing”.
Other messages that could not be accessed included those of cabinet minister Nick Thomas-Symonds, who was unable to provide WhatsApps after his phone was snatched last year. Former Downing Street chief of staff Morgan McSweeney also reported his phone stolen last year, sparking concerns that important messages over the controversial appointment could be lost.
It comes as Andy Burnham ruled out calling an early general election if he becomes PM. The Greater Manchester Mayor is running for Labour in the Makerfield by-election to become an MP again, which would pave the way to challenging Mr Starmer.
Following speculation that he was considering a snap election to give him a stronger mandate, a spokesperson has now ruled out calling a snap election if he enters Downing Street.
