Mandelson-Epstein row criticism veering into ‘conspiracy theory territory’ claims minister as ex-Starmer aide told to hand over messages in ‘stolen phone’ row

A senior government minister today accused opponents of drifting into ‘conspiracy theory territory’ amid questions over messages between Peter Mandelson and Keir Starmer‘s former chief adviser.

Bridget Phillipson lashed out amid continued controversy over the theft of a government phone belonging to Morgan McSweeney with was stolen by a mugger last year.

The loss of the device on a London street means that important messages relating to Lord Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador will not be placed in the public domain.

It comes after MPs moved in February to force the publication of tens of thousands of documents with the aim of uncovering how much was known about Lord Mandelson’s links to Jeffrey Epstein before the peer was handed the Washington job.

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch is among the opposition politicians who have sought to suggest the phone theft is ‘fishy’.

But speaking to Sky News‘ Sunday Morning with Trevor Philips, Ms Phillipson accused the presenter of talking ‘rubbish’ and ‘hyperbole’ when he questioned her about the theft.

‘Morgan McSweeney was mugged, reported it to the police, followed all of the processes that were asked of him. I do think some of this wider coverage is drifting into conspiracy theory territory here,’ she said.

Morgan McSweeney has done what was asked of him. He will provide and is providing any material that is required.’

However Mrs Badenoch hit back, telling the same programme: ‘This is the man who advised the appointment of Peter Mandelson’s appointment, something we’ve now seen has been a huge cover-up.

‘This is not a conspiracy theory. Questions need to be answered and he should come into Parliament and explain what happened.’

Last night it was revealed Mr McSweeney used two other handsets which could contain messages relating to Peter Mandelson‘s appointment as US ambassador.

And he is facing demands to hand over messages from private devices. 

Mr McSweeney is under pressure to explain the full details of the theft he reported last October, when MPs were pushing for the disclosure of correspondence that could explain why Lord Mandelson was given the job despite his connections with Jeffrey Epstein.

At the time, with the Tories plotting to use a Commons procedure to force the disclosure of all messages about his appointment and resignation, Downing Street aides held meetings to come up with a strategy for ‘Morgan’s messages’.

A few days later, on October 20, Mr McSweeney, then No 10 chief of staff, reported that his official iPhone had been snatched in London. 

After Mr McSweeney reported the incident to Downing Street the device was wiped remotely.

Now The Mail on Sunday has established Mr McSweeney also possessed two private phones: one was deactivated earlier this year, while the other one is still in service.

Asked this weekend if all his phones had been searched for applicable messages, No 10 said that it was still in the process of asking ‘relevant individuals’ for messages relating to Lord Mandelson.