THE PROBE into Peter Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador risks turmoil as we can reveal a mobile phone used by Morgan McSweeney in government was stolen.
It means key messages between and the disgraced peer may be lost forever.
Peter Mandelson and Morgan McSweeney leaving 10 Downing StreetCredit: Tayfun Salci
The bombshell revelation will fuel fears the public will never learn the full truth of what was known about ties to before he was given the job.
No10 has to publish all emails, texts and reports into appointment after a national outcry over his links to the late convicted paedophile.
This is meant to include “all electronic communications” between and the shamed peer.
But now it emerges there might be big gaps in the disclosure of the so-called Mandelson Files because of the missing mobile phone.
mobile phone was stolen last year and reported to police at the time – meaning the messages and data kept on it can no longer be accessed.
Although The Sun on Sunday understands some messages between and have been found and will be published.
Tory shadow cabinet minister Alex Burghart said: “We had to drag the files out of and now we find the phone of his former Chief of Staff and protege of Mandelson won’t be part of the disclosure.
“The whole thing stinks of a cover up.”
Keir Starmer has come under massive pressure over the Peter Mandelson scandalCredit: Getty
The phone was stolen months before Parliament passed a ‘humble address’ forcing No10 to publish the documents into his appointment.
It is a fresh blow to, who has faced months of pressure over his disastrous decision to make his man in Washington.
was the PM’s most powerful aide in Downing Street and cleared Mandelson’s appointment.
But he quit last month over the toxic fallout from the scandal.
The next tranche of these ‘ Files’ will be published next month, after the Easter holidays.
A government spokesman said: “We are committed to complying with the Humble Address in full, while continuing to support the Metropolitan Police with their investigation.“
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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