A 28-year-old man faces arrest in Peckham, South London, suspected of trying to sell the stolen mobile phone belonging to Morgan McSweeney, former chief of staff to Sir Keir Starmer. The device was taken in a brazen theft last October, sparking a police investigation that recently led to this breakthrough.
The Theft and Initial Report
On 20 October 2025, Mr. McSweeney urgently contacted emergency services to report his “government device” had been snatched. The thief reportedly grabbed the phone directly from his hand as he attempted to keep hold of it. Despite giving chase, the perpetrator escaped on a bicycle.
Mr. McSweeney initially informed the police the incident occurred on Belgrave Street, Westminster. However, a clerical error led to the report being recorded as Belgrave Street in Tower Hamlets. In reality, the theft took place on Belgrave Road, Pimlico, Westminster.
Reopening the Case and Arrest
After assigning a crime reference number, police temporarily closed the case. It reopened when new information surfaced recently, prompting a renewed investigation.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police confirmed the arrest: “Officers investigating the theft of a mobile phone on Belgrave Road, Pimlico, on 20 October 2025 have detained a 28-year-old man on suspicion of handling stolen goods.”
The arrest occurred on Wednesday, 29 April, at a residential address in Peckham. The suspect was taken into custody and subsequently released on bail.
Details of the Suspect’s Alleged Role
Police clarified the man is not suspected of committing the original theft. Instead, authorities believe he received the stolen phone and attempted to sell it.
The stolen device remains unrecovered, and investigations continue to locate it.
