Nick Thomas-Symonds, the Labour Minister for EU Relations, was unable to provide WhatsApp messages exchanged with Peter Mandelson due to his mobile phone being stolen in October 2022. The theft, reported to the police shortly after it occurred, resulted in the loss of key communications from 2024. This incident mirrors the experience of Morgan McSweeney, former chief of staff, who also faced issues with message retrieval. The recent release of the Mandelson Files, a 1,500-page document detailing internal Labour communications, has drawn scrutiny over transparency, particularly regarding the handling of messages that may not have been properly backed up. Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to Keir Starmer, acknowledged that some messages could have been lost due to device changes or disappearing messages. Additionally, Mandelson's refusal to submit his personal phone for examination raises further questions about accountability. The files reveal significant tensions within the party, with criticism directed towards senior figures like Sir Keir Starmer, Rachel Reeves, and Ed Miliband, amidst accusations of a cover-up regarding Mandelson's controversial appointment as ambassador to the United States.