Ministers warned not to copy Wes Streeting’s release of messages with Peter Mandelson

The UK Cabinet Office and Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration issued an urgent warning to government ministers on February 10, 2026, advising them against the public release of private message logs following Health Secretary Wes Streeting’s decision to publish his WhatsApp exchanges with Peter Mandelson. The directive was issued in London to prevent potential interference with an active Metropolitan Police investigation concerning the release of documents related to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. Officials are concerned that unauthorized disclosures could compromise legal proceedings or breach government confidentiality protocols during a period of intense scrutiny regarding political links to the disgraced former ambassador. The controversy began after Wes Streeting proactively bypassed standard government channels to share personal communications, which reportedly included frank assessments of his own political standing and re-election prospects. This move was intended to provide transparency as the public and press examined Mandelson’s historical associations and influence within the Labour Party. However, the move has caused significant friction within Downing Street, as senior officials fear a precedent of "self-authorizing" the release of private data could lead to a chaotic and uncoordinated information environment for the government. Simultaneously, the Metropolitan Police have signaled that the broader context of these communications—specifically those intersecting with the Epstein files—makes them sensitive material in a criminal context. The Cabinet Office emphasized that all ministerial communications are subject to data protection laws and the Ministerial Code, which requires a formal process before private records are moved into the public domain. The government is currently attempting to balance the demand for public accountability regarding Mandelson’s role with the legal necessity of preserving evidence for the ongoing investigation, ultimately leading to the firm discouragement of any further unsanctioned leaks by cabinet members.