Key documents being hidden from Parliament as 'extraordinary' use of WhatsApp criticised

13:51, Fri, May 15, 2026 Updated: 13:53, Fri, May 15, 2026

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Attends Weekly Question Time

The Mandelson files are set to be damaging for Sir Keir Starmer (Image: Getty)

Cover-up claims have engulfed the latest release of the Mandelson files after a parliamentary committee claimed too many documents were being redacted by Sir Keir Starmer's Government. A Humble Address forced by the Conservatives and Labour backbenchers compels the Government to disclose files relating to the appointment of Lord Mandelson as ambassador to the US.

It has already led to embarrassment for Sir Keir, who was warned extensively of the "general reputational risk" in appointing the former Labour grandee. Lord Mandelson was sacked in September 2025 when further details about his connections with the paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein came to light. Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee has been tasked with overseeing the release of the documents.

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But on Friday, it said redactions were "being applied far too broadly", adding: "No body has been commissioned to review those redactions and assure Parliament that they are within the spirit of the Humble Address."

Some documents have even been entirely withheld, including the explosive UK Security Vetting file that reportedly recommended Lord Mandelson should be denied clearance.

Sir Keir has claimed that this information was withheld from him and that he sacked Sir Olly Robbins, the permanent under-secretary at the Foreign Office, as a result.

The committee also said it was "extraordinary" how much of government business appears to be be conducted through unofficial systems, such as the messaging service WhatsApp.

They note that "lengthy" message exchanges on WhatsApp appear to be the way a large number of discussions between ministers and officials take place.

"Government systems exist for a reason and should be the proper forum for the conduct of government business," it said.

The revelation will only heap pressure onto the Prime Minister, who this week has faced turmoil with nearly 100 MPs calling on him to step aside.