Sir Keir Starmer uses disappearing messages on WhatsApp, Downing Street has confirmed, after yesterday’s Mandelson files release featured only a quick text exchange between the pair.
The use of the tech by government ministers has come under the spotlight after the publication of three volumes of documents.
It meant that communication between several top officials and Peter Mandelson, the former ambassador to the US, did not feature in the release, as any messages had been automatically deleted.
In the House of Commons yesterday, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones said the government had committed to a review of the practice.
But in a briefing this afternoon, a spokesperson for No 10 revealed the PM himself uses disappearing messages.
He said: ‘The Prime Minister does use disappearing messages. As you’ll be aware, some ministers do use that function in line with the government’s advice.’
Cabinet Office guidance allows for the use of the tech, as long as it does not impact record-keeping.
But questions have been asked over how such a function can possibly avoid impacting record-keeping, since it involves automatic deletion of communication.
The spokesperson said the commitment to a review made it ‘self-evident’ that the government believed concerns need to be addressed.
Speaking to MPs yesterday, Jones said: ‘The House should note that some messages may not have been backed up where devices may have been changed or disappearing messages turned on, for reasonable and permitted reasons, including before the dismissal of Peter Mandelson or the passing of the Humble Address — my messages included.’
He said he recalled having ‘some limited exchanges with Peter Mandelson over WhatsApp’, but that ‘these conversations did not involve transacting government business’ and were in line with guidance.
The document release shows Mandelson advising Starmer on campaigning ahead of the 2024 general election and suggesting a dinner with former PM John Major.
Monday’s release was one of the largest ever published by a government in response to a Humble Address, containing well over 1,000 pages.
Much of the text is redacted, which Jones defended by saying MPs outside government had described the exclusions as ‘sensible, reasonable and proportionate’.
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