Metropolitan Police Release Full Transcript of Morgan McSweeney's 999 Call
The Metropolitan Police have taken the unusual step of releasing the complete transcript of the emergency call made by Morgan McSweeney, the then chief of staff to the Prime Minister, reporting the theft of his phone. The transcript reveals that McSweeney did not disclose his position at No 10 during the call.
Incorrect Address Recorded by Police
The police have acknowledged that the address recorded for the theft was incorrect. Initially, the incident was logged as occurring on a street in Tower Hamlets, but it actually took place on a street with the same name in Westminster.
McSweeney, who left his role at No 10 in February, informed the police that the stolen device was a government phone and that it had a tracker enabled. This information was conveyed minutes after the theft, which happened in central London.
Transcript of the 999 Call
In a rare move, the Metropolitan Police published the full transcript of the call made by McSweeney immediately following the theft. The force stated that two attempts were made to follow up with McSweeney during office hours, but he did not respond. Additionally, CCTV footage was reviewed, although from the incorrect location.
Call handler: "Police, what’s your emergency?"
Morgan McSweeney: "Oh, hello, someone just robbed my phone …"
Call handler: "And where did this happen?"
Morgan McSweeney: "It happened in Belgrave Street in Westminster."
[The Metropolitan police have subsequently said that the incident happened in Belgrave Road, Westminster, but that the call handler input put in the address as Belgrave Road in Tower Hamlets.]
Call handler: "And whose phone are you using now?"
Morgan McSweeney: "I’ve got two phones. I’m using my personal one. That was my work one ..."
Call handler: "Have you got a tracker on the phone at all?"
Morgan McSweeney: "I do. It’s a government phone."
Call handler: "And it’s your work phone. What kind of phone is it?"
Morgan McSweeney: "It’s an iPhone."
Call handler: "Do you know what model?"
Call handler: "Have you got any finance apps on the phone?"
Call handler: "You’ll need to change any passwords for any logins you do have on the phone."
Call handler: "You’re not vulnerable in any way. Are you?"
Investigation and CCTV Review
The police reviewed available CCTV footage in the area where the incident was initially believed to have occurred, but this did not yield any viable leads. McSweeney stated in the call that he had already reported the theft to his office to attempt to track the device. Although he mentioned the phone was a "government phone," he did not indicate that his position might increase the risk associated with the theft.
Context of McSweeney's Phone Records
McSweeney's phone records are under public scrutiny due to his correspondence with former US ambassador Peter Mandelson, who was dismissed following revelations about his association with the late child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. A Conservative motion passed in the House of Commons mandates the government to disclose all related correspondence.
Following the police admission of recording the wrong address, the investigation into the theft of McSweeney’s phone is being revisited.
Details from the Call Transcript
Within the transcript, McSweeney states the theft took place in Westminster. The call handler later mentions "Stepney Green park," near the incorrect address, but McSweeney does not acknowledge this reference.
McSweeney reports the theft just minutes after it occurred and says he pursued the thief several blocks north. The call handler advises him not to take any further risks. McSweeney requests to make a crime reference report immediately rather than wait for police contact.
No 10 has confirmed that the device was switched off immediately and that McSweeney was issued a replacement phone the following day with the same number.
Upcoming Release of WhatsApp Messages and Potential Political Impact
The WhatsApp messages of aides and ministers are expected to be published in the next tranche of the Mandelson files. The Prime Minister is reportedly preparing for possible further resignations related to the contents of these communications.
Thousands of documents in the second tranche of the Mandelson files, anticipated to include informal communications alongside formal messages similar to those in the first batch, are due for release after Easter.
Metropolitan Police Statement
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said:
"On Monday 20 October police received a report from a man in his 40s alleging that his phone had been snatched.
"The incident was recorded as having taken place in Belgrave Street, E1. A review of the allegation, including a consideration of whether there was available CCTV, did not identify any realistic lines of inquiry. The investigation was subsequently closed.
"In the course of responding to a recent media inquiry, we became aware that the address was entered incorrectly at the time of the initial call and should instead have been recorded as Belgrave Road, Pimlico. Having identified this error, the report will be amended and the assessment of whether there is available evidence revisited."
