A petty theft – of the kind that happens every day on Westminster streets – has prompted an outbreak of conspiracy theories and added to public mistrust. But the loss of the former chief of staff’s work device has also shone an unflattering light on those who should be committed to enabling government scrutiny, says Helen MacNamara Sign up for our free Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our