Mandelson Files Raise Transparency Concerns After Aide's Phone Stolen

Conservatives call for Lord Mandelson to disclose messages from personal phone as inquiry continues.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 1:39am

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The ongoing controversy surrounding Lord Mandelson's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein has led to the publication of tens of thousands of documents detailing his work in public life and communications with government officials. However, messages between Morgan McSweeney, the Prime Minister's top advisor, and Lord Mandelson may be unavailable due to the theft of Mr. McSweeney's phone last year. The Conservatives have called for Lord Mandelson to be compelled to disclose messages from his personal phone, but Whitehall sources indicate the theft was not considered a national security issue.

Why it matters

The loss of potentially crucial digital communications due to a stolen phone introduces a significant complication to the inquiry, raising questions about transparency and the completeness of the information available to Parliament. The Conservatives have argued that failing to request messages from Lord Mandelson's phone would be an 'extraordinary cover-up' and could put the Government in contempt of Parliament.

The details

Files released last month revealed that Sir Keir Starmer was warned Lord Mandelson's association with Jeffrey Epstein posed a 'general reputational risk' to the Government prior to his appointment as ambassador to the US. A second tranche of Mandelson files, including WhatsApp messages between Lord Mandelson and senior figures in No 10, is scheduled for release after the Easter recess. However, messages between Morgan McSweeney and Lord Mandelson may be unavailable due to the theft of Mr. McSweeney's phone last year.

  • The Mandelson Files and Reputational Risk Files were released last month.
  • A second tranche of Mandelson files, including WhatsApp messages between Lord Mandelson and senior figures in No 10, is scheduled for release after the Easter recess.

The players

Lord Mandelson

A British Labour politician who has served in various government roles, including as Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills. He has faced scrutiny over his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

Morgan McSweeney

The Prime Minister's top advisor, whose phone was stolen last year, potentially leading to the loss of messages between him and Lord Mandelson.

Sir Keir Starmer

The current leader of the Labour Party, who was warned about the 'general reputational risk' of Lord Mandelson's association with Jeffrey Epstein prior to his appointment as ambassador to the US.

Alex Bughart

The shadow chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, who stated that failing to request messages from Lord Mandelson's phone would be an 'extraordinary cover-up' and could put the Government in contempt of Parliament.

Kemi Badenoch

A Conservative politician who questioned how crucial information disappeared with the stolen phone and why there appears to be no effort to recover the messages.

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What they’re saying

“Failing to request messages from Lord Mandelson's phone would be an 'extraordinary cover-up' and could put the Government in contempt of Parliament.”

— Alex Bughart, Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster

“The central question remains: how did a man with a known relationship with Jeffrey Epstein become the UK's top diplomat?”

— Kemi Badenoch

What’s next

The Government is expected to release a second tranche of Mandelson files, including WhatsApp messages between Lord Mandelson and senior figures in No 10, after the Easter recess.

The takeaway

The disappearance of potentially crucial digital communications due to the theft of the Prime Minister's top advisor's phone raises significant concerns about transparency and the completeness of the information available to Parliament in this ongoing inquiry. The Government's handling of this matter will be closely scrutinized as it seeks to address public concerns.