A man has been arrested on suspicion of trying to sell the Prime Minister’s former chief of staff Morgan McSweeney’s stolen phone.
Mr McSweeney phoned 999 to report that the device had been stolen in Westminster on October 20 last year.
At the time, he told officers that it was a ‘government device’ but did not inform them he was Sir Keir Starmer‘s chief of staff.
He was given a crime reference number and the case was later closed – but it was later reopened after the theft became public knowledge.
The crime made national headlines as it is feared the majority of messages between Mr McSweeney and Peter Mandelson will not be recoverable, and therefore will not be part of the government’s disclosure on his appointment as US ambassador.
On Wednesday, officers from the Met Police arrested a 28-year-old man in Peckham, southeast London, on suspicion of handling stolen goods.
The man, who is not suspected of having been involved in the original theft, has since been bailed. The phone has still not been recovered.
Mr McSweeney phoned police from his personal phone to report the theft of his work device on Belgrave Road in Pimlico.
He said at the time he had given chase to the thief, but was unable to keep up as they were riding a bicycle. He then retraced his steps and phoned 999.
Morgan McSweeney phoned 999 to report that the device had been stolen in Westminster on October 20 last year
But miscommunication meant that the location of the crime was recorded as a similar street address five miles away in east London.
This is a breaking news story and is being updated.
