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03/12/2009
Mandelson 'Eyed Euro Foreign Job'
Peter Mandelson wanted to become Europe's first high powered international diplomat.
However, the Labour peer told the BBC that he did not get close enough to even be vetoed for the High Representative for External Affairs post. The job eventually went to party colleague Baroness Ashton.
Lord Mandelson dismissed speculation French President Nicolas Sarkozy had hampered his chances.
The Business Secretary said he would have pursued the post had he not been in government.
"In other circumstances I would have liked to have done that job, it combines my interests in Europe and foreign affairs."
He continued: "The point is I'm a member of this government and I'm committed to its success and its re-election and that's why I'm remaining a member of it."
He denied reports of his ambitions to become UK Foreign Secretary.
Asked if he would have considered taking the post, if it had become available, Lord Mandelson said: "Well the circumstances didn't arise."
He denied suggestions anyone had stood in his way for the Europe job.
"Nobody blocked me, I'm afraid we didn't get to that happy stage," the peer told BBC Radio 4.
(PR/BMcC)
However, the Labour peer told the BBC that he did not get close enough to even be vetoed for the High Representative for External Affairs post. The job eventually went to party colleague Baroness Ashton.
Lord Mandelson dismissed speculation French President Nicolas Sarkozy had hampered his chances.
The Business Secretary said he would have pursued the post had he not been in government.
"In other circumstances I would have liked to have done that job, it combines my interests in Europe and foreign affairs."
He continued: "The point is I'm a member of this government and I'm committed to its success and its re-election and that's why I'm remaining a member of it."
He denied reports of his ambitions to become UK Foreign Secretary.
Asked if he would have considered taking the post, if it had become available, Lord Mandelson said: "Well the circumstances didn't arise."
He denied suggestions anyone had stood in his way for the Europe job.
"Nobody blocked me, I'm afraid we didn't get to that happy stage," the peer told BBC Radio 4.
(PR/BMcC)
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