14/08/2009

Mandy Won't Take Labour Crown

Whatever happens in the next general election, Labour's Lord Mandelson has "officially ruled out" ever becoming Prime Minister or even to lead the party.

Currently the Business Secretary, who is standing in for Gordon Brown while the Prime Minister is on holiday, the peer said there was "no prospect" of him running for the party leadership in any future contest.

An experienced and often feared politician, who includes several years as the Northern Ireland Secretary of State in his CV, he has effectively ended speculation about any leadership chances.

Rumours have been rife in recent weeks following his promotion to First Secretary of State and following Mr Brown's consistently poor opinion poll ratings.

But in an interview with Sky News on Thursday, he said: "I have no prospect and no plans of standing as leader of the Labour Party.

"I am a member of the House of Lords. There is no opportunity for me to divest myself of my life peerage.

"A peerage is for life. A life peerage is a life peerage."

Asked whether he was ruling himself out of any future contest, he said: "It is me officially ruling it out."

(BMcC/KMcA)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

05 January 2010
Mandelson 'Lacks Commons Ambition'
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson has claimed that two major stumbling blocks stand in the way of him becoming an MP again - his life peerage and a "lack of ambition".
27 October 2011
Automatic Life Sentence For 'Serious' Re-offenders
The justice minister has revealed plans to introduce mandatory life sentences for those who commit serious crimes more than once. The "two strikes" rule will see anyone convicted of a second serious sexual or violent crime in England and Wales being handed an automatic life sentence.
14 December 2006
Blair questioned over peerage nominations
Prime Minister Tony Blair has been questioned concerning the cash for honours probe. A Downing Street spokesperson confirmed that Mr Blair had not been cautioned and had not been accompanied by a lawyer. The investigation was sparked by allegations that the Labour Party had received undeclared loans.
03 July 2009
Labour MPs Defend Martin Peerage 'Slur'
Sixteen Labour MPs have called on the Lords Appointment Commission to retract "disgraceful and spiteful" comments made regarding the proposed elevation of former Commons Speaker Michael Martin to the Upper Chamber.
16 May 2008
Convicted Murderer Will Never Be Freed, Judge Says
A High Court judge has told a triple killer that he will spend the rest of his life in prison. Arthur Hutchinson, who is in his 60s, from Hartlepool, was sentenced to three life sentences for murdering the mother, father and brother of a bride hours after her wedding in 1983.