Starmer Uses Disappearing Messages on His Phone, No 10 Confirms

Starmer uses disappearing messages on his phone – Downing Street has revealed that Prime Minister Keir Starmer employs an automatic deletion feature on his smartphone, potentially erasing WhatsApp communications with Lord Mandelson. This confirmation came after a significant portion of messages was made public earlier this month, including exchanges between senior government figures and civil servants. However, the documents disclosed primarily featured interactions from Lord Mandelson’s side, with only a handful of messages attributed to the prime minister himself.

The controversy emerged following a vote by Members of Parliament in early 2024, which mandated the government to release all records—such as correspondence—related to Lord Mandelson’s selection as the UK’s ambassador to the United States. The decision to make these documents accessible sparked debates about transparency in political communications. On Monday, a large batch of messages was published, but they largely omitted direct conversations between Starmer and Mandelson, raising questions about the completeness of the records.

Speaking to media outlets, Starmer emphasized that he had fulfilled his obligations by providing “all the messages I hold” and stated he had “complied” with the process. He added that disappearing messages are a common practice, not limited to politics. The WhatsApp tool allows users to set a deletion timer of 24 hours, seven days, or 90 days, ensuring texts vanish after a specified period. Despite this, guidelines for ministers specify that such features are acceptable as long as they do not interfere with record-keeping or transparency.

Nevertheless, a review is currently examining the extent of WhatsApp usage within the government. Starmer’s official spokesman acknowledged that there were “lessons to be learned” from the practice. The spokesperson noted that the released documents contained multiple texts from the prime minister’s private office, which they described as “the standard and established route for communicating prime ministerial decisions and managing correspondence.” This highlights that while the PM’s own messages were sparse, his inner circle’s communications were still accessible.

Conservative shadow minister Alex Burghart criticized the use of disappearing messages, arguing that they undermine the government’s commitment to transparency. He pointed out that “significant information and decisions must be properly recorded and preserved,” yet Starmer’s messages to Mandelson appeared to have been deleted or lost. Burghart’s comments underscored concerns that the practice could obscure crucial details of policy discussions.

Adding to the scrutiny, Lord Beamish, the chair of the Intelligence and Security Committee, urged senior officials and ministers to cease using WhatsApp for official government matters. His remarks emphasized worries about data security and the absence of an audit trail for decision-making processes. Beamish noted that these issues had been raised previously with both the Johnson and Sunak administrations, suggesting a persistent challenge in maintaining accountability.

Other cabinet ministers, including Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy and Chancellor Rachel Reeves, also rely on disappearing messages, according to internal records. This widespread use indicates that the practice is not isolated to Starmer but part of a broader trend among top officials. However, the Mandelson files contained six texts that did not appear to have been sent via WhatsApp, including a discussion between the peer and Starmer about a potential meeting with former Prime Minister Sir John Major.

On 17 July 2024, shortly after the general election, Lord Mandelson wrote to Starmer:

“Keir, hope you are well, you have got off to a flying start. I was at a dinner with John Major this evening and if you don’t know him I think good idea to invite him for a chat. As well as being a very nice person, he is interesting and thoughtful. Just a thought. No need to reply.”

Starmer responded a week later:

“Thanks Peter. It’s so good to be getting on with the job of governing. A million times better than opposition – you know that! I’ll reach out to John M, he’s a very thoughtful man. See you soon I hope. All best Keir.”

These exchanges illustrate a personal connection between the two figures, though the lack of WhatsApp evidence has fueled further questions.

The documents also featured several pages of messages between Mandelson and Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden. In one instance, McFadden expressed frustration that meetings with Labour MPs were dominated by discussions about “who can we tax in order to pay benefits.” During an interview with the BBC, McFadden clarified that his stance aligned with his public and private advocacy for shifting the focus of welfare policy from “what benefit are you entitled to” to “how do we help you change your life.”

McFadden further noted that Mandelson had remarked on the “beleaguered and bereft” state of No 10, the prime minister’s official residence. When asked about his agreement with this assessment, McFadden responded:

“I think prime ministers can often be beleaguered because it’s a really tough job.”

He also praised Starmer’s performance, stating:

“Keir Starmer is doing a good job for the country. I want him to carry on doing that job.”

This endorsement highlights the ongoing collaboration between the PM and his advisors, even as concerns about message retention persist.

While the auto-delete feature offers convenience, its implications for transparency remain a topic of discussion. Critics argue that the tool could be used to obscure sensitive communications, while supporters maintain that it is a necessary part of modern governance. As the review into WhatsApp usage continues, the debate over balancing efficiency with accountability is likely to shape future discussions on digital communication in politics.

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