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.
Politics latest – follow live
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?
Sir Keir has been 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 also 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.
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.
Please refresh the page for the fullest version.
You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.
