Tories call for ethics probe into Starmer’s disappearing WhatsApp messages – PA Media

By George Thompson, Rhiannon James, Abbie Llewelyn and David Lynch, Press Association Political Staff 03/06/2026 The Government’s independent ethics adviser must investigate Sir Keir Starmer’s use of disappearing WhatsApp messages, the Conservatives have said. The Tories’ letter to Sir Laurie Magnus comes after a senior minister insisted the Prime Minister’s use of the function, which auto-deletes correspondences on the communications app, was not a “cover-up”. The ethics watchdog must investigate whether Sir Keir has broken the ministerial code by not preserving his WhatsApp messages, shadow Cabinet Office minister Alex Burghart said in his letter to Sir Laurie. He cited a section of the ministerial code which says ministers should use internal systems for “all Government business”, and are obliged to “keep accurate public records” when they use “non-corporate communication channels” for official business. Mr Burghart’s letter continued: “At its heart, this is a tale about corrupt and predatory practices of Jeffery Epstein and his friends, and a style of behaviour in public life that is rotten to the core. “In that light, I believe it would be timely for you to undertake an investigation into the conduct of the Prime Minister and his office. This should not be brushed under
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