In the UK, ministers have been advised by the Cabinet Office to refrain from sharing private communications with Peter Mandelson after Labour MP Wes Streeting disclosed details of their WhatsApp conversations. This comes in the wake of concerns that such disclosures could be implicated in a current Commons motion that may require the release of pertinent documents about Mandelson's previously controversial appointment as US ambassador. The warning emphasizes the legal and procedural ramifications of sharing potentially sensitive information.

The Metropolitan Police are currently looking into allegations of misconduct in public office involving Mandelson, particularly regarding claims that he shared sensitive market information with Jeffrey Epstein while serving as business secretary in Gordon Brown’s governement in 2009. The police have underscored the importance of adhering to proper investigative protocols to ensure that the ongoing inquiry is not compromised by premature disclosures or rumors stemming from political dramas.

Wes Streeting's release of his private messages with Mandelson is seen as an attempt to clarify and distance himself from the allegations surrounding Mandelson. These communications from August 2024 to October 2025 were intended to show transparency, but they have raised discussions within government circles about the appropriateness and potential repercussions of similar actions by other ministers. This situation reflects ongoing tensions and the scrutinizing atmosphere in British politics, particularly concerning the intersections of personal relationships and public duties, especially in high-profile investigations.