Story perspectives

Police Dismiss Theft of Key Phone in London Incident

3/25/2026

Summary

Story summary

Police did not investigate the theft of Morgan McSweeney’s phone, which contained sensitive messages, citing being "too busy."
The theft occurred on October 20, 2023, in central London and is significant as it hinders the examination of McSweeney's WhatsApp messages related to the upcoming release of the Peter Mandelson files.
McSweeney, former chief of staff to Keir Starmer, chased the thief on an electric bike but could not catch him.
After reporting the theft, McSweeney received a crime reference number, and the case was closed; he received a new phone the next day.

History

Historical Context

The 2011 London riots, which resulted in over 3,000 arrests, exposed systemic issues within the Metropolitan Police, particularly regarding their handling of investigations into phone hacking. Criticism intensified after the police's failure to adequately pursue evidence, raising concerns about their prioritization of resources and relationships with media figures, including those linked to political leaders like Keir Starmer, potentially undermining public trust in law enforcement.

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Story summary

Police did not investigate the theft of Morgan McSweeney’s phone, which contained sensitive messages, citing being "too busy."
The theft occurred on October 20, 2023, in central London and is significant as it hinders the examination of McSweeney's WhatsApp messages related to the upcoming release of the Peter Mandelson files.
McSweeney, former chief of staff to Keir Starmer, chased the thief on an electric bike but could not catch him.
After reporting the theft, McSweeney received a crime reference number, and the case was closed; he received a new phone the next day.

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