European Commission - United Kingdom
EU Commissioner Mandelson back to British cabinet
Friday 03 October 2008
EU Trade Commissioner and former WTO negotiator Peter Mandelson has stepped down and returned to join the cabinet of former nemesis, PM Gordon Brown. He is to be replaced by Baroness Catherine Ashton.
Friday 03 October 2008
By AFPEU trade commissioner Peter Mandelson will make a stunning return to the British government on Friday in a reshuffle of Prime Minister Gordon Brown's cabinet, reports said.
Mandelson, a key ally of former prime minister Tony Blair, will return from Brussels to replace Business Secretary John Hutton, the BBC and Sky News reported.
Hutton will move to replace Defence Secretary Des Browne, the reports said.
Mandelson served as trade minister under Blair, but was forced to resign over a home loan scandal, but then won plaudits in the sensitive post of Northern Ireland Secretary.
But his stint there was ended by a row about British passports provided for the ultra-rich Indian Hinduja brothers, and he moved to Brussels in 2004.
He oversaw the marathon negotiations over a new world trade agreement, but the talks have failed to produce a deal.
Pour aller plus loin
Pour aller plus loin
03/10/2008 17:59:59 Alert a moderator
Mandelson returns to cabinet
By Anonyme - Arbroath
This man must know where the bodies are buried!
03/10/2008 13:40:29 Alert a moderator
Mandelson
By Pro Bono Publico - Birmingham
Peter Mandelson's career has been a repeated chapter of sleaze and missed opportunity. He is the obvious man to join thhis government
03/10/2008 12:26:18 Alert a moderator
Mandelson
By Mal - Lancaster
I don't agree with his politics but his skills are undoubtedly desperately needed in Gordon Brown's cabinet.
03/10/2008 12:25:12 Alert a moderator
Mandelson
By Anonyme -
This fellow should have been blackballed forever after his last devious dealings. This government has now lost all credibility.