Metropolitan Police Release Full 999 Transcript in Unprecedented Move
In a highly unusual disclosure, the Metropolitan Police have released the complete transcript of a 999 emergency call made by Morgan McSweeney, the Prime Minister's former chief of staff, after his government-issued iPhone was snatched in central London. The transcript reveals that McSweeney did not disclose his high-ranking position in Number 10 during the call, referring to the device only as a "government phone" without mentioning his role as the PM's chief of staff.
Address Error Hampered Investigation
The Metropolitan Police have admitted to a critical error in their initial response. During the emergency call, the handler incorrectly recorded the theft location as Belgrave Road in Tower Hamlets, when the incident actually occurred on Belgrave Road in Westminster's Pimlico area. This mistake meant that subsequent CCTV reviews were conducted at the wrong location, failing to identify any viable lines of inquiry.
According to the police statement, two attempts were made to follow up with McSweeney during office hours, but he did not answer. The investigation was subsequently closed due to lack of evidence, but police are now revisiting the case after identifying the address error.
Transcript Details of the Emergency Call
The released transcript provides a minute-by-minute account of the interaction between McSweeney and the emergency call handler:
- Call Handler: "Police, what's your emergency?"
- McSweeney: "Oh, hello, someone just robbed my phone..."
- Call Handler: "And where did this happen?"
- McSweeney: "It happened in Belgrave Street in Westminster."
- Call Handler: "And whose phone are you using now?"
- 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?"
- McSweeney: "I do. It's a government phone."
Throughout the conversation, McSweeney emphasized that he wanted to create a crime reference report immediately rather than waiting for officer contact. He reported the theft just minutes after it occurred and mentioned attempting to follow the thief several blocks north before being advised by the handler not to take further risks.
Background and Political Context
McSweeney's phone records have become subject to public scrutiny due to his correspondence with former US ambassador Peter Mandelson, who was dismissed following revelations about his friendship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. A Conservative motion passed in the House of Commons obliges the government to disclose all correspondence related to this matter.
McSweeney resigned from his Number 10 position in February over his involvement in Mandelson's appointment as ambassador to the United States. The upcoming release of the second tranche of Mandelson files, expected after Easter, is anticipated to include thousands of documents containing informal communications alongside formal messages.
Number 10 has confirmed that the stolen device was immediately shut down and that McSweeney received a replacement phone with the same number the following day. The prime minister is reportedly preparing for potential further resignations as WhatsApp messages from aides and ministers are expected to be published in the forthcoming document release.
Police Statement and Investigation Update
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson stated: "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 consideration of available CCTV, did not identify any realistic lines of inquiry. The investigation was subsequently closed."
The spokesperson continued: "In 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."
This case highlights both procedural issues within police emergency response systems and the ongoing political ramifications of the Mandelson correspondence scandal, with McSweeney's phone theft now becoming intertwined with broader governmental transparency concerns.
