Police investigating the theft of a mobile phone belonging to Morgan McSweeney, former chief of staff to Sir Keir Starmer, have made an arrest. A 28-year-old man was taken into custody on Wednesday in Peckham, south London, on suspicion of handling stolen goods, the Metropolitan Police confirmed on Thursday.
Arrest and Investigation Details
The man is not believed to have been involved in the original theft, which occurred on 20 October last year. Instead, he is suspected of receiving the government-issued iPhone after it was stolen and subsequently selling it on. The device has not yet been recovered. Following his arrest, the suspect was bailed pending further enquiries.
The theft took place shortly before 10:30 PM on Belgrave Road in Pimlico, London. At the time, McSweeney reported the incident to police, describing the phone as a government device equipped with a tracker. However, records of the emergency call indicate that he did not disclose the sensitive nature of the phone's contents or his role as the Prime Minister's chief of staff.
Concerns Over Lost Communications
The case has drawn significant attention due to concerns that important messages regarding Peter Mandelson's appointment as the UK's ambassador to the United States may have been lost. Mandelson was appointed to the Washington post in October, and his communications with McSweeney have been under intense scrutiny. The Guardian understands that not all correspondence has been lost, with the Cabinet Office retaining a number of text and email exchanges between the two individuals.
The Metropolitan Police's decision to release a transcript of McSweeney's emergency call was described as highly unorthodox, with the force stating it aimed to correct misreporting of the incident.
Ongoing Investigation
A Met Police spokesperson said: "Officers investigating the theft of a mobile phone in Belgrave Road, Pimlico, on 20 October 2025 have arrested a 28-year-old man on suspicion of handling stolen goods. The arrest took place on Wednesday 29 April at an address in Peckham. The man was taken into police custody and later bailed. He is suspected of receiving the phone after it was stolen and then selling it on. He is not suspected of any involvement in the original theft. The phone has not been recovered."
McSweeney left his role at Number 10 in February. The investigation remains ongoing as police continue to search for the missing device.
