CAMPAIGNERS have written to Wes Streeting requesting the release of his messages with five private healthcare-linked donors, following the Health Secretary’s publication of WhatsApp chats with disgraced former peer Peter Mandelson.

The letter, signed by leaders of eight organisations campaigning against NHS privatisation — including We Own It, the Socialist Health Association and Doctors Association UK — said the public has a right to know how health policy is decided.

They said: “Releasing to the public your messages with these donors (relating to health policy, DHSC [Department of Health and Social Care] announcements and NHS contracts) would help assure the public that your policy of increasing the use of the private sector for the provision of NHS services, is not driven by a quid pro quo relationship.”

Research by the Good Law Project in April 2025 showed 60 per cent of donations received by Mr Streeting since 2015 have come from private healthcare companies or those with financial interests in the sector.

Mr Mandelson, whose lobbying firm Global Counsel, represents data surveillance firm Palantir, has previously helped to facilitate a meeting between the firm and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

The company has secured £500 million worth of contracts with the British government, including a contract to manage patient data.

Among the donors whose messages campaigners seek are John Armitage, a hedge fund manager with investments in US health insurance giant UnitedHealth, and Sir Trevor Chinn, a senior adviser to a firm with holdings in private health companies.

Combined, they have given Mr Streeting £351,000.

We Own It’s Johnbosco Nwogbo said: “There is no doubt who stands to benefit from increased privatisation and underfunding of the NHS.

“Private firms, not patients, are the biggest beneficiaries.”

He added that Mr Streeting has “a historic opportunity here to set a new tone in a time of low trust in politics.”