Starmer: 'Far-fetched' to link McSweeney phone theft to Mandelson files

Sir Keir Starmer has said it is “a little bit far-fetched” to suggest the theft of Morgan McSweeney’s phone was linked to the release of files relating to Lord Mandelson.

The government is facing questions after it emerged that the PM's former chief of staff's phone was stolen, leading to the likely loss of his messages with the sacked ambassador to the US.

The government-issued device was reported stolen after Mandelson's firing, but before parliament forced the government to publish all papers and communications relating to his appointment and time in office.

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Asked whether the phone's disappearance is part of a "cover-up", Sir Keir replied: "Well the phone was stolen. It was reported to the police.

"There's a transcript of the call in which Morgan McSweeney gives his name, his date of birth, the details of the phone and the police confirm that it was reported.

"Unfortunately, there are thefts like this. It was stolen. It was reported at the time and the police have acknowledged and confirmed that that is what happened."

He added: "The idea that somehow everybody could have seen that sometime in the future there would be a request for the phone is, to my mind, a little bit far-fetched."

Explained: What's the controversy over McSweeney's phone?

Mr McSweeney's government-issued iPhone was stolen late at night on 20 October 2025, a month after Lord Mandelson was sacked as ambassador to the US following the release of emails showing he had a much closer relationship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein than previously known.

It is being raised as an issue now because the government is being made to publish the so-called Mandelson files - and the phone contained messages between the two men.

Some politicians have suggested the theft may not have happened, such as Labour MP Karl Turner who wrote on X last night: "I don't believe McSwindle had his iPhone stolen. I believe the report was made. McSwindle didn't mention that he was the chief of staff to the PM. A significant omission of [sic] he'd wanted the police to prioritise the offence."

Asked about the missing phone on Thursday morning, Defence Secretary John Healey told Sky News: "I think we've all either had or know somebody who's had their phone stolen, and what I understand Morgan McSweeney did was report it immediately to the police... As far as I'm aware, all the proper protocols have been followed."

Sir Keir made the remarks about the phone while speaking to journalists on Thursday morning as part of a visit to Finland, where he is attending the Joint Expeditionary Force military summit.

The prime minister warned that "we have to accept that there's a war on two fronts".

Sir Keir explained: "There's the Iranian conflict and the continuing Ukrainian conflict. Today, I'll be talking to allies about what more we can do."

Sir Keir Starmer will be sitting down later today for an exclusive interview with our political editor Beth Rigby for Sky News' Electoral Dysfunction podcast. Catch the full interview on Friday morning from 6am.

You can listen wherever you get your podcasts, just search for Electoral Dysfunction and hit follow to hear it first. You can also watch the full interview on Sky News' YouTube channel from 6am.

(c) Sky News 2026: Starmer: 'Far-fetched' to link McSweeney phone theft to Mandelson files