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PA Media
Downing Street has confirmed that the prime minister uses an auto delete function on his phone meaning his WhatsApp messages with and about Lord Mandelson may have been lost.
Earlier this year, MPs voted to force the government to publish all documents, including communications, related to the appointment of the peer as the UK's ambassador to the US.
On Monday, a huge tranche of messages were disclosed - including WhatsApps from senior ministers and civil servants - but there were only a few texts from the prime minister himself.
Speaking to broadcasters, Sir Keir Starmer said he had handed over all the "messages I hold" and had "complied" with the process.
"Many people, not just in politics, use disappearing messages," he added.
The disappearing message tool allows WhatsApp users to set a time limit of 24 hours, seven days or 90 days, after which their texts are deleted.
Guidance for ministers says disappearing messages are permitted as long as they don't affect record keeping or transparency.
However, a review is under way into the use of WhatsApp and the prime minister's official spokesman admitted there were "lessons to be learnt".
The spokesperson noted that the papers did contain "multiple" documents from the prime minister's private office, which he said was "the standard and established route for communicating prime ministerial decisions and handling communications".
Conservative shadow minister Alex Burghart said: "Government guidance is clear: significant information and decisions must be properly recorded and preserved.
"But Keir Starmer's messages to Peter Mandelson have been disappeared or destroyed."
On Monday, chair of the Intelligence and Security Committee, Lord Beamish called on senior officials and ministers to stop using WhatsApp to conduct government business.
The Labour peer said there were concerns about security as well as the lack of an audit trail for decision-making.
"These are all issues that the last committee raised with both the Johnson and Sunak Governments. That culture is continuing; it cannot be allowed to continue."
Other cabinet ministers including the Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy and the Chancellor Rachel Reeves also use disappearing messages.
The Mandelson files contained six texts, which do not appear to have been sent via WhatsApp, between Lord Mandelson and Sir Keir including a discussion in which they discuss a possible meeting with former Prime Minister Sir John Major.
On 17 July 2024, shortly after the general election, Lord Mandelson wrote: "Keir, hope you are well, you have got off to a flying start.
"I was at a dinner with John Major this evening and if you don't know him I think good idea to invite him for a chat.
"As well as being a very nice person, he is interesting and thoughtful. Just a thought. No need to reply."
A week later Sir Keir replied: "Thanks Peter. It's so good to be getting on with the job of governing.
"A million times better than opposition – you know that!
"I'll reach out to John M, he's a very thoughtful man. See you soon I hope. All best Keir."
The documents also included several pages of messages between Lord Mandelson and Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden.
In one message, McFadden appears to express his frustration that meetings with Labour MPs were dominated by "who can we tax in order to pay benefits".
In an interview with the BBC, McFadden said his position was consistent with his calls both in "private and public" to change the approach to welfare, moving away from asking "what benefit are you entitled to" and instead shifting the focus to "how do we help you change your life".
In another message, Lord Mandelson told McFadden he thought No 10 was "beleaguered and bereft".
Asked if he agreed with the comments, McFadden said: "I think prime ministers can often be beleaguered because it's a really tough job."
He continued to state that "Keir Starmer is doing a good job for the country" and "I want him to carry on doing that job."
