Blair refuses to be drawn on Mandelson return
Tony Blair has refused to be drawn on press reports suggesting that he is planning to bring Peter Mandelson in from the political wilderness.
Speaking at his monthly press conference today, the Prime Minister said he couldn’t comment either on the appointment of a new European Commissioner or on his expected Cabinet reshuffle.
The UK’s two current commissioners, Neil Kinnock and Chris Patten, are standing down this year. There will be only one UK replacement under new EU rules drawn up after the accession of 10 new members.
Mr Blair declined to answer questions from two journalists referring to Mr Mandelson, urging them to wait for the official announcement.
Reports suggest that the PM could send Peter Mandelson to Brussels or even bring him back into the Cabinet.
A controversial figure, Mr Mandelson was forced to resign from the Cabinet on two occasions.
The MP for Hartlepool resigned first over revelations of an undisclosed housing loan from Geoffrey Robinson, then Paymaster General. He resigned for a second time after being accused of helping two Indian businessmen, the Hinduja brothers, gain British passports.
He was however fully cleared of any impropriety as regards the Hinduja brothers.
An appointment to the European Commission would appear more likely as a third Cabinet role would meet with opposition from across the political divide.
Peter Mandelson has remained a close ally of the Prime Minister since leaving the post of Northern Ireland secretary in 2001.
If the rumours are true, then that would mean a third tricky by-election for Labour after its recent loss to the Liberal Democrats in Leicester South, and its narrow hold of Birmingham Hodge Hill. Mr Mandelson currently holds a strong 14,000 majority.
