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No 10 confirms Starmer’s WhatsApp messages automatically delete
TL;DR
Downing Street confirmed that Keir Starmer's WhatsApp messages automatically delete, raising questions about his involvement in Peter Mandelson's appointment. The government released nearly 1,500 pages of documents regarding Mandelson's role as ambassador to Washington.
Key points
- Keir Starmer's WhatsApp messages automatically delete.
- Downing Street confirmed Starmer uses disappearing messages.
- Nearly 1,500 pages of documents were released about Mandelson's appointment.
Mentioned in this story
Keir StarmerPeter MandelsonDowning Street
Keir Starmer’s WhatsApp messages automatically delete from his smartphone, Downing Street has confirmed, calling into question how full a picture emerged of his role in the appointment of Peter Mandelson from a recently released tranche of government documents.
Asked at a briefing whether Starmer uses the function on his WhatsApp messages, the prime minister’s spokesperson said he “does use disappearing messages”, adding that this was in line with official guidance on the use of so-called non-corporate communications.
On Monday, the government released nearly 1,500 pages of emails, messages and other documents about Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to Washington, in response to a Conservative motion in the House of Commons seeking transparency on the decision.
Within the documents there were relatively few messages directly from Starmer, although this is also because most correspondence with prime ministers takes places via their officials.
The only WhatsApp messages between Mandelson and Starmer were a handful just before and just after the 2024 general election. Asked if there had been others lost as a result of disappearing messages – Mandelson declined to pass on information from his phone – the spokesperson said only that Starmer had provided all the information required.
“The prime minister has fully complied with the humble address by providing all the information he holds as required.
“You have seen messages from Peter Mandelson to the PM in this tranche, that is 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.”
Cabinet Office guidance on messaging systems such as WhatsApp, states that disappearing messages, which vanish after a period of time set by the user, “have a role in limiting the buildup of messages on devices” and can therefore be used.
“You must ensure that any such use does not impact on your record-keeping or transparency responsibilities,” the guidance continues. Under wider rules for ministers and officials, this involves screenshotting or otherwise recording messages relevant to policy or decisions, but not other content, for example gossip.
The government previously announced a review into how the rules for preserving messages operate.
Q&A
What did Downing Street confirm about Keir Starmer's WhatsApp messages?
Downing Street confirmed that Keir Starmer uses disappearing messages on WhatsApp, which automatically delete.
How many documents were released regarding Peter Mandelson's appointment?
The government released nearly 1,500 pages of emails, messages, and documents related to Peter Mandelson's appointment.
What was the context of the documents released about Mandelson?
The documents were released in response to a Conservative motion in the House of Commons seeking transparency on Mandelson's appointment as ambassador to Washington.
