Prime Minister Uses Disappearing Messages on Phone, Downing Street Confirms

Downing Street confirmed that the prime minister uses an auto-delete function on a phone, meaning some WhatsApp messages with and about Lord Mandelson may have been lost. Earlier this year, MPs voted to require 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 large set of messages was disclosed, including WhatsApps from senior ministers and civil servants, but only a few texts from the prime minister. The prime minister told broadcasters that all messages held had been handed over and the process had been followed.

Many people use disappearing messages, the prime minister added. The disappearing message tool allows users to set a time limit of 24 hours, seven days or 90 days before texts are deleted.

Guidance for ministers permits disappearing messages if they do not affect record keeping or transparency. A review is under way into the use of WhatsApp. A spokesperson said multiple documents from the prime minister's private office were included in the papers, which is the standard route for communicating prime ministerial decisions.

Conservative shadow minister Alex Burghart said government guidance requires significant information and decisions to be properly recorded and preserved. Lord Beamish, chair of the Intelligence and Security Committee, called on senior officials and ministers to stop using WhatsApp for government business, citing security and audit trail concerns.

Other cabinet ministers, including the Deputy Prime Minister and the Chancellor, also use disappearing messages. The released files contained six texts between Lord Mandelson and the prime minister that do not appear to have been sent via WhatsApp. The documents also included messages between Lord Mandelson and Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden.