Sir Keir Starmer uses disappearing messages on WhatsApp, Downing Street has confirmed, raising questions about the completeness of recently published government documents relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson as US ambassador.
The prime minister's spokesperson said on Tuesday that Starmer "does use disappearing messages", adding that this was in line with official guidance on non-corporate communications. The admission came after the release of a 1,000-page tranche of messages between ministers and Lord Mandelson on Monday, which included only a brief text exchange involving Starmer.
“Downing Street confirms Keir Starmer uses disappearing WhatsApp messages, after a 1,000-page release of Mandelson-related messages contained only a brief exchange from the PM, sparking Cabinet resentment and transparency concerns.”
The batch of messages, published under freedom of information rules, contains criticisms of Labour MPs, No 10 and the prime minister himself. However, the sparse number of messages from Starmer has led to accusations that the full picture of his involvement in the Mandelson appointment may be obscured.
Cabinet resentment is growing, with some ministers fearing they have been exposed to far greater scrutiny than more senior colleagues, including the prime minister and Chancellor Rachel Reeves. Critics argue that the use of disappearing messages by senior figures creates a two-tier transparency system within government.
Downing Street defended the practice, stating that the function is permitted under official guidance on the use of non-corporate communications. But the revelation has prompted fresh scrutiny of transparency around the Mandelson appointment process, which has already been the subject of multiple parliamentary questions.
The government has not indicated any intention to change its messaging policies. However, the episode is likely to intensify calls for clearer rules on the retention of official communications, particularly among cabinet members who believe they are operating under different standards.
What This Means For You: The use of disappearing messages by the prime minister raises questions about the accessibility of official records. For voters, it may undermine trust in government transparency, as key exchanges could be lost to public scrutiny. The issue also highlights potential inequalities in how different ministers are held accountable. No immediate change to policy is expected, but the debate over digital communication records is likely to continue.