Met Police arrest man over theft of phone at centre of Peter Mandelson scandal investigation

The police have arrested a man in connection with the theft of Morgan McSweeney's phone.

The 28-year-old suspect has been accused of selling the mobile phone that was owned by Mr McSweeney, Sir Keir Starmer's former chief of staff.

On Wednesday the man was arrested in Peckham, south London, however, Mr McSweeney's phone has not been recovered, the Times reports.

Sir Keir's former chief of staff contacted the police on October 20 last year and reported to the police a "government device" had been stolen.

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Police recorded the wrong address of where Mr McSweeney said it took place, mistaking it to be in east London, rather than in the central of the capital.

The case was subsequently closed, however, relaunched after details of the incident were reported in the Sun on Sunday.

A Met spokesman said: “Officers investigating the theft of a mobile phone in Belgrave Road, Pimlico on 20 October 2025 have arrested a 28-year-old man on suspicion of handling stolen goods.

“The arrest took place on Wednesday, 29 April at an address in Peckham. The man was taken into police custody and later bailed.

"He is suspected of receiving the phone after it was stolen and then selling it on. He is not suspected of any involvement in the original theft.

“The phone has not been recovered.”Mr McSweeney's stolen phone has received particular attention due to the loss of his Whatsapp messages, which potentially contain correspondence over Lord Peter Mandelson's ambassadorial appointment.

Since the scandal broke out over the disgraced peer's appointment as the UK's ambassador to the US, there has been demands for publication of the correspondence between senior politicians and officials over the decision.

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