Downing Street has confirmed that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer uses an auto-delete function on his phone, which means his WhatsApp messages with and about Lord Mandelson may have conveniently vanished into the digital ether.

Earlier this year, MPs voted to force the government to publish all documents related to Lord Mandelson's appointment as UK ambassador to the US. On Monday, a massive tranche of messages was disclosed, including WhatsApps from senior ministers and civil servants - but only a few texts from the PM himself.

Sir Keir told broadcasters he had handed over all "messages I hold" and had "complied" with the process, adding, "Many people, not just in politics, use disappearing messages." The tool lets users set messages to delete after 24 hours, seven days, or 90 days. Government guidance says it's allowed as long as it doesn't affect record-keeping or transparency - which, let's be honest, is a bit like saying you can eat the cake as long as you still have it.

A review is underway into WhatsApp use, and the PM's official spokesman admitted there were "lessons to be learnt." Shadow minister Alex Burghart was less diplomatic: "Government guidance is clear: significant information and decisions must be properly recorded and preserved. But Keir Starmer's messages to Peter Mandelson have been disappeared or destroyed."

Monday also saw Intelligence and Security Committee chair Lord Beamish call on officials to stop using WhatsApp for government business, citing security concerns and a lack of audit trail. "That culture is continuing; it cannot be allowed to continue," he said. Other cabinet ministers, including Deputy PM David Lammy and Chancellor Rachel Reeves, also use disappearing messages.

The disclosed Mandelson files did contain six texts between Lord Mandelson and Sir Keir - though not via WhatsApp. In one, dated 17 July 2024, Lord Mandelson suggested the PM meet former PM Sir John Major. Sir Keir replied a week later: "Thanks Peter. It's so good to be getting on with the job of governing. A million times better than opposition - you know that!"

Also revealed were messages between Lord Mandelson and Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden, including one where McFadden vented that meetings with Labour MPs were dominated by "who can we tax in order to pay benefits." McFadden told the BBC his position was consistent with his calls to shift welfare focus from entitlement to helping people change their lives.

In another message, Lord Mandelson told McFadden he thought No 10 was "beleaguered and bereft." McFadden diplomatically responded that "prime ministers can often be beleaguered because it's a really tough job" and insisted Sir Keir was "doing a good job."