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Protestors target Lord Mandelson as he takes charge
10.08.09
Lord Mandelson flies back from his Corfu holiday today to formally manage the day-to-day business of Government while the Prime Minister continues his own break.
No one minister has officially been deputising for Gordon Brown over the weekend after Harriet Harman's foreign vacation overlapped with the Business Secretary's.
Downing Street was forced to issue a swift insistence that the PM remained "in charge" amid speculation the peer would be running the show via mobile phone from the Greek island.
But Lord Mandelson's spokesman insisted it had been pre-agreed that he would be stand-in from his return today until August 16, when he is expected to hand over to Chancellor Alistair Darling.
The First Secretary of State, widely seen as Mr Brown's de-facto deputy, had told workers at a Vauxhall plant that he would stay in the UK until a deal was agreed on the future of the car firm.
Meanwhile, demonstrators at Lord Mandelson's London home demanded support for Britain's only wind turbine manufacturer.
The Business Secretary took a budget airline flight to the Greek sunshine however after it became clear it would be later this month before any breakthrough was likely.
He was pictured at the weekend enjoying the hospitality of Nathanial Rothschild, but appeared to have avoided the political furore sparked by his Corfu break last year.
In an interview published today by The Guardian, Lord Mandelson described himself more of a "kindly pussycat" than a "big beast" of politics.
"I don't really see myself as a big beast. More as a kindly pussycat. Yes, a kindly pussycat. I'm a kindly pussycat, with strong views about what we need to do," he said.
I think 10 years ago, and also 15 years ago, I was a very hard-nosed, uncompromising figure who was manning the barricades of change in the Labour Party, and prepared to take down anything or anyone who stood in the way," he went on.
"I don't feel in that mode now. And secondly, I've learned from experience that you can defeat people without killing them."
Mr Brown is expected to swap his constituency in Scotland for the Lake District this week as he opts for a so-called "staycation" - keeping up a record of always holidaying in the UK as PM.
Reader views (5)
smug - he's only here because he's been ordered to - his mind will be on what he's missing! - get them out!
- David, soton
Perhaps he should have sent Ms Harman a text before he left, something along the lines;
"U av 2 go"
- Darius, London UK
Now's the time to apply for a mortgage. Here's the man who can help you tick all the right boxes, he's done it before !!!!!!!
- John.W, east kent
God help us all ....
- Marianne, SW France/London
Can somebody please explain why Peter Mandelson is now regarded as such a great politician? I just cannot think of anything constructive he has done throughout his career . However i can remember that he was sacked or resigned for shady dealing with Indians. No wonder Gordon Brown looks so exhausted if this is the best team he can muster.
- Simon Ellis, London E8
