British minister loses personal photos and messages from stolen phone, including correspondence with Mandelson

British minister Nick Thomas-Symonds described the theft of his phone as a "nightmare", as it resulted in the loss of numerous personal photos and messages. The incident came to light in connection with Peter Mandelson, the former UK trade secretary nominated as US ambassador, with some of his ministerial communications now missing from released files.

British minister Nick Thomas-Symonds described the theft of his phone as a "nightmare", as it resulted in the loss of numerous personal photos and messages. The incident came to light in connection with Peter Mandelson, the former UK trade secretary nominated as US ambassador, with some of his ministerial communications now missing from released files.

According to Thomas-Symonds, the phone contained private correspondence and photos that could not be recovered. The minister stressed that this was a personal loss that continues to trouble him. Mandelson has been named as Britain's ambassador to Washington, which is why his former official communications are under public scrutiny.

Gaps identified in files related to Mandelson have raised questions among numerous politicians, but Thomas-Symonds explained that the missing messages were lost precisely because his phone was stolen. Similar explanations have prompted wider public debate about the obligation to preserve official correspondence.