Mandelson: I spoke to Blair about my return

7:52am Monday 6th October 2008

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PETER MANDELSON said yesterday that he consulted Tony Blair before accepting his new job as Business Secretary.

The former Prime Minister told his friend the decision was a “no-brainer”, leading to Mr Mandelson’s shock return to the Cabinet.

It signalled the end of a 14-year feud with Gordon Brown, and Mr Mandelson said they were both part of the same Labour family, adding: “When times get tough, families pull together and that’s what we are doing.”

His comments came as Mr Brown completed a wide-ranging overhaul of his junior ministerial team, which saw major changes in every department.

The high-profile job of immigration minister went to Phil Woolas, with Vernon Coaker gaining promotion within the Home Office to become police minister.

Lord Adonis made a surprise move from education to the Department for Transport, and Pat McFadden was installed as Mr Mandelson’s deputy.

In an interview with Sky News, 54-year-old Mr Mandelson said the new-look Government’s main priority would be to deal with the economy, which he compared to a sick patient.

He confirmed he would “make a contribution” to Labour’s next General Election campaign, but insisted he had not been brought in to mastermind it.

This was later reiterated by Labour, which said International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander would continue in his role as General Election coordinator.

Mr Mandelson conceded the offer from Mr Brown had been “unexpected”, adding: “I took some time to say yes, but in the end I thought it was the only thing I could and should do.”

The new Business Secretary pointed out that he had been away from Westminster for four years, which he described as “a lifetime”.

He added: “During that time, you get a different view, you get a different perspective on events and people.

“Gordon Brown has changed, he has become Prime Minister and, in my view, is a very, very steady hand on the tiller.

“I think he and the Chancellor, Alistair Darling, have really demonstrated strength and very real qualities during this crisis and are going to continue to do so, and I want to join their team."

North-East has new minister in reshuffle

THE North-East gained a Government minister in the reshuffle yesterday.

Durham North MP Kevan Jones has been appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Defence.

Also on the move is Bishop Auckland MP Helen Goodman. She has been Deputy Leader of the House of Commons for the past 16 months but now becomes an assistant Government whip.

Tynemouth MP Alan Campbell switches from being a Government whip to become Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Home Office.

Vera Baird, the Redcar MP, retains her role as Solicitor General.

Hartlepool MP Iain Wright remains as Housing Minister. Nick Brown, the Newcastle East and Wallsend MP, was promoted on Friday to be Chief Whip, but now appears to be retaining his title as Minister for the North-East.