Brown aides rebuff Mandelson

Supporters of Gordon Brown today spurned a call by Peter Mandelson to end their feuding.

Mr Mandelson, the new European trade commissioner, said the continued sniping from the Brownites was damaging Britain in Europe.

"I've moved on to a new job and I think it would be a good idea if many of Gordon's supporters didn't take their fight with me on to the European stage," he said. "I don't think the Government benefits from that. I don't think Britain's national interest benefits ... so I hope we can all move on."

Mr Mandelson said the Chancellor's supporters still had not forgiven him for backing Tony Blair for the Labour leadership 10 years ago.

His comments were met with a sceptical response from the Treasury. Insiders suggested that far from offering an olive branch, Mr Mandelson was trying to stop Mr Brown criticising Europe.

There was also anger at the implication that supporters of Mr Brown were solely responsible for the infighting.

The Treasury is still fuming after Mr Mandelson attacked the Chancellor for his "exaggerated gloating" over Britain's economic performance. Insiders also

blame Mr Mandelson for leaking details of a private meeting where Mr Brown was harangued by senior pro-Europeans for running down the EU.

Aides made clear Mr Brown would not stop demanding reform of the European economy.

A Treasury spokesman said: "We will never win the case for Britain's place in Europe by ducking issues of reform or by claiming that standing up for Britain is in some way anti-European."