Police reveal blunder over Morgan McSweeney stolen phone amid Mandelson probe
Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailGet our free View from Westminster emailMetropolitan Police are revisiting a previously closed investigation into the snatching of a mobile phone belonging to Morgan McSweeney, Sir Keir Starmer’s former chief of staff, after admitting they recorded the wrong address. The incident, which occurred in central London last October, was initially logged incorrectly as taking place in Belgrave Street, Tower Hamlets. The Sun newspaper reported that the device may have contained messages pertinent to Lord Peter Mandelson’s potential appointment as British ambassador to the US, raising concerns about lost communications. The Metropolitan Police confirmed on Tuesday that a man in his 40s had reported his phone being snatched, and they are now reviewing the case following the administrative error.Police said a previous review of the allegation, including whether there was CCTV available, “did not identify any realistic lines of inquiry” and the investigation was closed.The force said that while responding to a recent media inquiry, it became aware the incorrect address was recorded at the time of the initial call to police and it should have been noted as Belgrave Road in Westminster.The error will now be amended and the force will reassess whether there is available evidence, police said.A Met Police spokesperson said: “On Monday October 20 police received a report from a man in his 40s alleging that his phone had been snatched.“The incident was recorded as having taken place in Belgrave Street, E1.“A review of the allegation, including a consideration of whether there was available CCTV, did not identify any realistic lines of inquiry. The investigation was subsequently closed.A mobile phone used by McSweeney was taken last year, meaning messages relating to Lord Peter Mandelson’s appointment as British ambassador to the US ‘could be lost’ (PA Wire)“In the course of responding to a recent media inquiry, we became aware that the address was entered incorrectly at the time of the initial call and should instead have been recorded as Belgrave Road, Pimlico.“Having identified this error, the report will be amended and the assessment of whether there is available evidence revisited.”Mr McSweeney quit Downing Street last month under immense pressure, with many having blamed him for pushing the appointment of Lord Mandelson.MPs ordered the Government to release tens of thousands of documents relating to Lord Mandelson’s appointment in 2024 after questions over how the peer was vetted and what was known about his links to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.The Cabinet Office does have some of the messages between him and Lord Mandelson, it is understood.A Government spokesperson previously said: “We are committed to complying with the humble address in full while continuing to support the Metropolitan Police with their investigation.”
