Mandelson 'not in line for top EC job'

Claims that Peter Mandelson could make a political comeback as a European Commissioner were strongly denied today.

The former Trade and Industry and Northern Ireland Secretary is said to have been promised the post by Tony Blair who is due to announce a replacement for Neil Kinnock when he retires next year.

But insiders insisted the Prime Minister had "given no thought" to the matter.

A major hurdle is that the Hartlepool MP would have to resign from the Commons, prompting a dangerous by-election which Labour could easily lose in the wake of the Brent East rout.