Prince of darkness who defies laws of political gravity
Peter Mandelson's appointment as the new European Commissioner marks a remarkable comeback for Labour's Prince of Darkness. He was twice forced to resign from the Cabinet despite being one of Tony Blair's closest allies. Now he is been given a third chance to show he can hold down a major political post.
Few deny that Mr Mandelson is a brilliant political talent but his career has been dogged by controversy. He came to attention as Labour's director of campaigns and communications in the Eighties. After entering the Commons in 1992 as MP for Hartlepool he played a key role in founding New Labour.
He helped organise Mr Blair's leadership campaign in 1994 and was put in charge of Labour's general election campaign three years later.
His first spell in Cabinet, as Trade and Industry Secretary, ended abruptly in December 1998 when it emerged he had failed to declare a ?373,000 loan from the-then Paymaster General Geoffrey Robinson.
Less than a year later he was back as Northern Ireland Secretary, a post which played to his talent for back-room dealmaking.
Yet again it was to end in tragedy, with Mr Mandelson being hurried out of office over the "cash for passports" affair.
Caught in a panic over whether Mr Mandelson had or had not lobbied for the Hinduja brothers to receive a British passport, Alastair Campbell and Mr Blair put political survival ahead of personal friendship.
Mr Blair is said to regret the shabby way he treated his friend. Within months Mr Mandelson was back in the inner circle, advising the Prime Minister on health and education policies. He also used his Machiavellian talents to organise the Downing Street fightback during the Cheriegate affair.
It was clear he did not consider his career was over. In a theatrical outburst on 2001 election night he declared "I am a fighter, not a quitter."
Others, particularly those close to Gordon Brown, may prefer a different epitaph. They have not forgiven Mr Mandelson's decision to change allegiance from Mr Brown to Mr Blair when the Labour leadership was being decided 10 years ago.
Ironically, as a European commissioner Mr Mandelson will have to work more closely with the Treasury than any other department.
He will also be braced for renewed battles with the press. The red-top papers have already noticed his ?144,000 salary will be topped up with a ?24,000 housekeeping and chauffeur allowance and a generous ?7,000 expenses budget.
The appointment may be a tribute to Mr Mandelson's refusal to quit quietly, or gracefully, after being twice forced out of Cabinet.
But it also speaks volumes about the strength of his friendship with Tony Blair which has allowed the Prince of Darkness to defy all the laws of political gravity.
