Keir Starmer's 'disappearing Peter Mandelson messages' must be investigated, say Tories

Ministerial guidance, which was updated in 2023, cautioned against using the disappearing messages function if it impedes record-keeping or transparency.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman confirmed earlier this week that Sir Keir was using the function on his encrypted WhatsApp service.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves and then-Foreign Secretary David Lammy also used the function.

Tory fury about Sir Keir's messages came just days after the Cabinet Office released 1,500 documents related to Lord Mandelson's appointment as the UK's Ambassador to the US, including email, text and WhatsApp exchanges

In his letter to Sir Laurie, Mr Burghart wrote: “I believe that an independent consideration is needed on such matters. It raises serious questions about the ethics and integrity at the heart of Government.

“At its heart, this is a tale about corrupt and predatory practices of Jeffrey Epstein and his friends, and a style of behaviour in public life that is rotten to the core.

“In that light, I believe it would be timely for you to undertake an investigation in the conduct of the Prime Minister and his office. This should not be brushed under the carpet.

“In your consideration, you may be guided by the Principles on Standards in Public Life.

"I note they include: ‘Holders of public office should act and take decisions in an open and transparent manner. Information should not be withheld from the public unless there are clear and lawful reasons for so doing.’”

The Tories helped forced Monday's three-volume publication through a humble address demanding transparency over how Lord Mandelson was appointed.

However, the files contain no WhatsApp messages between Sir Keir and Lord Mandelson and only feature text messages exchanged by the pair up to July 25, 2024.

Ahead of the 2024 General Election, Lord Mandelson wrote to Sir Keir to warn about voters switching from the Tories to Reform UK.

Mr Burghart also noted that at least one message previously reported in the press was not included in the tranche of files released on Monday.

A GB News exclusive revealed that sources familiar with the matter expressed concern about messages from Sir Keir being withheld from the dossier.

However, the claim was denied by Downing Street sources.

"Nothing is being withheld on the messages," one No10 insider told GB News.

A No10 spokesman added: "In the same way as other ministers, the PM has fully complied with the Humble Address by providing all the information he holds as required."

"The information submitted has been published by the Cabinet Office."

When asked about his messages, Sir Keir insisted he had “complied” with the request from Parliament to reveal his correspondence with the disgraced peer.

“Let me assure you I have complied with the Humble Address,” the Prime Minister added.

“All the messages I hold have been passed over. I went through the same process as everybody else. And many people, not just in politics, use disappearing messages.”

Ministerial guidance, which advises against using non-corporate communication channels, was updated following concerns over the use of WhatsApp to discuss key decisions during the Covid pandemic.

A spokesman for Kemi Badenoch said: “There are so many questions to answer.

“Fundamentally, the thing that is missing is how can it be there there is no record of when the decision was taken to appoint Peter Mandelson. That is the thing more than anything else that we are asking.

“To make anything happen in government, things go up the chain, they go round the Civil Service. The fact that there is no record of that decision being taken, nothing official, no official paper – it just stinks.

“We are looking at any route we can to get the Government to comply in full with the terms of the humble address.”