Ministers could be banned from using self-destructing messages on Whatsapp or Signal for official business if a legal challenge is successful. Members of both the Cabinet and Shadow Cabinet use Whatsapp and Signal.

Transparency campaigners have sent a letter to the government, arguing that politicians and staff could avoid accountability by using these features. The legal challenge is brought by campaigning law group Foxglove on behalf of non-profit political campaigners the Citizens. Its letter warns that if a satisfactory response is not received within 14 days, it may proceed to a judicial review.

The organisation has previously sent "several" FOI requests seeking disclosure regarding how the government uses instant messaging services. It argues that the ability to remove or delete messages poses serious risks to transparency and democratic accountability.

A spokesperson for the Citizens said there is a growing risk that the current period of British history could be little more than a "black hole".

A spokesman for the Cabinet Office told the BBC that "appropriate arrangements" are already in place to adhere to guidance, and "this is kept under periodic review."

Last month, campaigners sent a legal letter with a request for transparency over these kinds of communications, but did not receive an individual response. This new letter is a formal pre-action notice and final opportunity to respond, before launching the court case.

According to official guidance, which has existed since 2013, a record only needs to be retained "if it is needed for substantive discussions or decisions in the course of conducting business".

For example, this law would apply to messages exchanged between special advisers and a minister regarding government policy.

UK law requires that such messages be archived to record, and it is up to the originator or recipient of such messages to "take the steps" to ensure this is done.

Messages on such platforms can be set to self-destruct, or be permanently deleted - meaning they could not be stored as a public record, or revealed in a later Freedom of Information (FOI) request.

The challenge adds further scrutiny on the cabinet's use of mobile phones for official government communications.

The Institute for Government think tank has also campaigned for all messages sent and received on official phones to be logged.

Hi

The media might not know what is going on on Whatsapp but the Security Services do.

All Ministerial and private phones have to be handed in for checking at sensitive locations.

Easy to check for bugs and whilst doing so put your own on them.

The Security Services are under no obligation to tell those investigating anything.

I was positively vetted, they had access to everything.

I led a very boring life.

I did tell them that if they leaked which colour maggots were catching the most fish to the opposition teams, or the groundbait mix, there would be trouble.

It's a good point because all government communications are in the public domain. Whatsapp groups discussing official business therefore reek of corruption and cabals.

Indeed they do .....

It's a good point because all government communications are in the public domain. Whatsapp groups discussing official business therefore reek of corruption and cabals.

Why do you think pollies still use faxes rather than email?