Man arrested in connection with sale of ex-chief of staff's stolen phone

A man has been arrested in connection with the alleged sale of a stolen mobile phone that belonged to Morgan McSweeney, who previously held the influential position of the prime minister’s chief of staff. This development marks a significant step in an ongoing investigation that has garnered public interest, particularly given McSweeney's former high-level government role.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed the arrest of a 28-year-old man on Wednesday, April 29. The arrest took place at an address in Peckham, a district in South East London. Following his apprehension, the individual was taken into custody for questioning regarding his involvement in the incident. He has since been released on bail, pending further inquiries by the authorities. The suspect is believed to have handled stolen goods, specifically by receiving the mobile phone after its initial theft and subsequently selling it. Crucially, police investigators have stated that they do not believe this individual was involved in the original act of theft itself. Despite the arrest, the stolen mobile phone has not yet been recovered, which remains a key objective for the police.

The theft of McSweeney's government-issued phone occurred in October 2025, in the affluent central London district of Pimlico. While the theft itself happened some time ago, news of the incident only emerged publicly earlier this year. This revelation coincided with the government's release of official documents pertaining to the controversial appointment of Lord Mandelson as the United Kingdom’s ambassador to the United States. The timing of these disclosures has drawn considerable scrutiny.

Morgan McSweeney was widely known to be a close political ally and confidante of Lord Mandelson. Furthermore, it has been publicly acknowledged that McSweeney had personally advised the prime minister to select Mandelson for the prestigious diplomatic position. However, since the public discourse surrounding the appointment and the phone theft, McSweeney has reportedly stated that recommending Lord Mandelson for the role was, in hindsight, a mistake. The ongoing disclosure of details surrounding the phone theft, coupled with the circumstances of the high-profile government appointment, has intensified public and media attention on these interconnected events.