PM rejects claim McSweeney faked theft to mask Mandelson messages
PM rejects claim McSweeney faked theft to mask Mandelson messages
Prime Minister rules out theories of a faked phone theft to hide exchanges about Mandelson's US ambassador appointment as transcripts and messages loom.
In Finland, where he is attending a security summit, the prime minister said it is a 'little bit far-fetched' to think Morgan McSweeney could have faked the theft of his work phone. The October incident, in which McSweeney said a young man riding a bike snatched the device, potentially jeopardizes the imminent release of messages tied to Lord Mandelson's appointment as ambassador to the United States, according to officials. The stolen phone could have contained exchanges related to the decision, which McSweeney pushed for amid concerns over Mandelson's links to Jeffrey Epstein.
Opposition figures and critics have seized on the episode to press for answers, with some noting the seriousness of the claim and others urging caution. The prime minister defended the account, saying the theft was reported at the time and that the police acknowledged the event, stressing there was no evidence of a broader conspiracy.
The Metropolitan Police published the full transcript of McSweeney's October call reporting the theft, a move officials say aims to provide transparency as discussions around Mandelson's potential role and the associated messages continue. The controversy over Mandelson's links to Epstein has heightened scrutiny of the missing messages, and observers expect that the forthcoming disclosures could shed more light on what was discussed and when. Supporters of the government argue that accusations of a cover-up are unfounded, while critics say the episode underscores the need for clearer accountability at Downing Street.
