ALLEGATIONS that Tony Blair intervened to oust the editor of a North-East newspaper were described as nonsense yesterday.

The Mail on Sunday published an article yesterday in which it was alleged that the Prime Minister had made a telephone call to Johnston Press, publishers of the Hartlepool Mail, expressing concern about its editor.

The editor, Harry Blackwood, is on sick leave following a disciplinary hearing over allegations which came to light during an inquiry into complaints made by Hartlepool MP Peter Mandelson.

Mr Mandelson said last night: "The idea that the Prime Minister should have any view about the editor of the Hartlepool Mail's future is simply ridiculous. I have no view to express about it either."

A Downing Street spokesman said last night that Mr Blair strongly denied the claims and dismissed them as nonsense.

"The Prime Minister has many issues to focus on and the editorship of the Hartlepool Mail is not one of them," he said.

Chris Lennie, regional director for the Labour Party, said: "This has been blown out of all proportion. It is a matter between Harry Blackwood and his bosses and no-one else. There is no substance in these claims."

Andrew Smith, editorial director of Northeast Press, the paper's parent company, said: "It is not true that anyone from Johnston Press has spoken to Tony Blair."

Labour Party officials, in Hartlepool, are known to have been unhappy with the paper's coverage of last year's mayoral elections, which resulted in a shock victory for Stuart Drummond, standing as independent candidate H'Angus the Monkey.

Mr Drummond said last night: "I am aware of what is going on, but I don't think it is my place to say anything and I would rather just stay out of the whole thing."

Johnston Press issued a statement last night saying: "The issues raised specifically by Mr Mandelson have been fully investigated by local editorial management and have been rejected.

"The company categorically rejects any suggestion that the Prime Minister, or anyone representing him, has made contact with, or endeavoured to apply pressure in any way on anyone connected with Johnston Press plc, either in respect of the Hartlepool Mail or indeed on any other matter. Quite simply, any such suggestion is completely and utterly wrong.

"Furthermore, the company totally dismisses the idea that political pressure from any quarter or the pursuit of business or political advantage could influence its approach to editorial policy or the employment of its editors. Such a view is both reprehensible and offensive.

"The issues in Hartlepool are solely a reflection of wide-ranging editorially-based concerns which have emerged over a period of some months."

Mr Blackwood was unable to comment last night.