Key facts
- UK Prime Minister admitted to using disappearing messages.
- Opposition Labour party previously condemned disappearing messages.
- Scrutiny follows the publication of the Lord Mandelson Files.
- MPs voted to compel disclosure of documents related to Lord Mandelson's time as ambassador.
- Former deputy cabinet secretary Helen MacNamara highlighted Angela Rayner's role in the document release.
The controversy surrounding the use of vanishing WhatsApp messages has intensified following the publication of the Lord Mandelson Files. These files pertain to Lord Mandelson's tenure as ambassador, and MPs had previously voted to compel their disclosure. In an unexpected development, Downing Street revealed that the current Prime Minister utilizes the 'disappearing messages' function on his phone. This admission is particularly notable as the opposition Labour party, led by Keir Starmer, had previously condemned such practices when in opposition. The ongoing scrutiny focuses on whether other ministers also copied Keir Starmer and deleted messages with Lord Mandelson. The latest drop of Mandelson files has been humiliating for Keir Starmer, with his government branded 'pathetic', 'disappointing', and 'beleaguered' in private emails and messages. Former deputy cabinet secretary Helen MacNamara has highlighted how pivotal the ex-deputy prime minister, Angela Rayner, was to the document release.