Downing Street has confirmed that Prime Minister Keir Starmer uses the “disappearing messages” function on his WhatsApp account. This confirmation has raised questions regarding how complete the picture is concerning his role in the appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington.
The admission follows the release of nearly 1,500 pages of government documents, including emails and messages, in response to a Conservative motion in the House of Commons seeking transparency. While the documents provide significant detail, they contain relatively few direct messages from the Prime Minister.
Transparency and Communication Protocols
A spokesperson for the Prime Minister stated that the use of disappearing messages is in line with official guidance regarding non-corporate communications. The spokesperson added that Starmer has “fully complied with the humble address” by providing all the information he holds as required.
The release showed that the only WhatsApp messages between Mandelson and Starmer were a handful of exchanges occurring just before and just after the 2024 general election. When asked if other messages had been lost due to the disappearing function, Mandelson declined to provide information from his own phone.
The government released nearly 1,500 pages of emails, messages, and other documents regarding Peter Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to Washington.
“The prime minister has fully complied with the humble address by providing all the information he holds as required.”
Cabinet Office guidance allows for the use of disappearing messages to help limit the buildup of messages on devices. However, the guidance explicitly states that such use must not impact record-keeping or transparency responsibilities.
Under these rules, officials are expected to screenshot or otherwise record messages that are relevant to policy or decisions, though this does not apply to non-relevant content such as gossip.
Political Criticism and Internal Disclosures
The revelation has drawn criticism from the Conservative Party. Alex Burghart, the shadow chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster, claimed that “significant information and decisions must be properly recorded and preserved,” suggesting that messages between Starmer and Mandelson may have been “disappeared or destroyed.”
In contrast to the limited communication involving the Prime Minister, the files revealed a large volume of messages between Mandelson and Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden. Some of these messages regarding the government or Labour MPs were noted as not being complimentary.
The tension between the convenience of disappearing messaging and the strict requirements of official record-keeping presents a significant challenge to transparency. While the Prime Minister may be acting within the technical bounds of Cabinet Office guidance, the timing of these revelations could invite continued scrutiny over the integrity of government archives.
Potential Implications
The government has previously announced a review into how the rules for preserving messages operate. This review could potentially lead to a reassessment of how non-corporate communication tools are utilized by senior officials.
The situation may also result in further political pressure from the Conservatives regarding the completeness of the released files. Analysts suggest that the outcome of the message-preservation review is likely to be a focal point for discussions on government accountability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were the documents regarding Peter Mandelson released?
The documents were released in response to a Conservative motion in the House of Commons seeking transparency regarding his appointment as ambassador to Washington.
Does Keir Starmer use disappearing messages on WhatsApp?
Yes, the Prime Minister’s spokesperson confirmed that he “does use disappearing messages” in accordance with official guidance.
What does the Cabinet Office say about disappearing messages?
Guidance states they can be used to limit message buildup, but users must ensure that such use does not impact record-keeping or transparency responsibilities.
Does the use of disappearing messages change your perspective on government transparency?
