Hidden messages in the Mandelson files spark fears of a 'Government cover-up'

By MARTIN BECKFORD, POLICY EDITOR Published: 00:23, 2 June 2026 | Updated: 00:24, 2 June 2026 Fresh fears of a government cover-up over the Peter Mandelson scandal have been raised after key messages were kept hidden. Although the Cabinet Office published more than 1,500 pages of emails and texts relating to the disgraced peer's time as US ambassador yesterday, many believe they still did not tell the full story. Officials admitted that WhatsApps Mandelson sent were missing because he refused to hand over his personal phone and there was no power to compel him.  Others were not included because ministers used the 'disappearing messages' function or did not back up their phones. In the Commons, Tory MP Alex Burghart said: 'Although we have a huge number of documents, it is clear that very many are missing.  Some have been withheld, some have been lost, and it is clear that some have probably been destroyed.' He said it 'beggars belief' that there was so little in Sir Keir Starmer's name. Senior minister Darren Jones pointed out that some messages could not be handed over due to the Met Police's criminal investigation, or because of their 'highly sensitive personal' nature, such as Mandelson's finances and relationships. In one exchange with a minister, Mandelson said: 'I am going mad with the things Morgan is sending me.'  Fresh fears of a government cover-up over the Peter Mandelson scandal have been raised after key messages were kept hidden (Mandelson is pictured with Sir Keir in February 2025)  But the files did not include any messages to him from Mr McSweeney, whose government phone was stolen in October. Meanwhile, WhatsApp messages between a minister and Mandelson were also missing due to phone theft, it has emerged. Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas-Symonds reported his personal phone as stolen on October 15. He held a meeting with the then ambassador last January, but the documents included no record of earlier communication. No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.