general
McSweeney did not disclose No 10 role in 999 call after phone theft
A Metropolitan police transcript shows ex‑No 10 chief of staff Morgan McSweeney reported a government iPhone stolen without naming his job, while officers recorded the wrong address and have reopened the file after identifying the error.
Mar 25th 2026 · United Kingdom
Insights
- A released Met transcript shows Morgan McSweeney reported a government iPhone stolen but did not say he was the prime minister's chief of staff.
- The Met recorded the wrong address, logging the incident in Tower Hamlets instead of Belgrave Road in Pimlico, so CCTV checks were done at the incorrect location.
- Police made two follow-up attempts during office hours that were not answered and initially closed the investigation after finding no realistic lines of enquiry.
- Following media inquiries the Met identified the recording error and reopened the report to reassess available evidence.
- No 10 says the device was shut off immediately and a replacement with the same number was issued the next day.
- The phone's records are subject to public disclosure because of the Mandelson files and a Commons motion requiring release of government correspondence.
Sources
- Police were ‘too busy’ to investigate theft of Morgan McSweeney’s phone despite potentially sensitive contents www.theguardian.com
- Streeting queries police dropping McSweeney phone theft inquiry www.bbc.com
- Morgan McSweeney did not disclose his No 10 job in phone theft 999 call, transcripts show www.theguardian.com
- McSweeney did not tell Met he was PM’s top aide when reporting phone theft www.ft.com
- Would Morgan McSweeney’s stolen phone have Mandelson messages on it? www.theguardian.com