Did Morgan McSweeney genuinely lose his phone through theft, or was it faked as part of a cover-up?

Morgan McSweeney served as Keir Starmer's chief of staff until resigning earlier in 2026 amid controversies over advising the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson. His government phone, containing WhatsApp messages with Mandelson linked to Epstein-related scrutiny, was reported stolen with no backups available. Police confirmed the report, but McSweeney did not disclose his role at the time, fueling suspicions of a cover-up given the timing and lack of security protocols invoked.