Mandy joins Brussels gravy train

THE Prime Minister Tony Blair has nominated Peter Mandelson as Britain's next European Commissioner, and the Hartlepool MP and joint architect of New Labour is expected to take up his post on November 1, once the college of commissioners has been approved by the European parliament.

By Graham Dines

THE Prime Minister Tony Blair has nominated Peter Mandelson as Britain's next European Commissioner, and the Hartlepool MP and joint architect of New Labour is expected to take up his post on November 1, once the college of commissioners has been approved by the European parliament.

Mr Mandelson said in a statement: "I am delighted to have been nominated by the Prime Minister to the post of UK European Commissioner. It is a great honour as well as a huge challenge and I will give it my all."

Mr Mandelson gave his all to two previous jobs – and ended up resigning in humiliating circumstances once as Trade Secretary and once as Northern Ireland Secretary.

It will mean a by-election in the North East constituency of Hartlepool, where he has a 14,571 majority at the last general election. Although the Tories were second behind Mr Mandelson in 2001, the Liberal Democrats are likely to be the chief challenger in a part of the country from where the Tories have been effectively banished in recent years.