British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is using WhatsApp’s “disappearing messages” feature, Downing Street confirms, following the release of messages involving Lord Peter Mandelson. Multiple outlets report that a batch of WhatsApp messages between ministers and Lord Mandelson is published, and that only a few messages from Starmer appear in the material released. The Independent reports that the use of disappearing messages can result in chats being wiped, raising questions about what correspondence may no longer be available between Starmer and Mandelson. The Independent also notes that MPs voted earlier this year to require disclosure of documents related to Mandelson’s period as ambassador, which formed part of the context for the publication. The Evening Standard and BreakingNews.ie both state that Downing Street explicitly defends Starmer’s use of the feature. BBC News similarly reports that No 10 confirms Starmer uses disappearing messages on his phone, while the disclosed batch contains only a small number of messages from the prime minister. The reporting focuses on the confirmation by No 10 and the effect that disappearing messages can have on the retention of records.