Mandelson's hopes of serving second EU term crushed by Gordon Brown

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Peter Mandelson's hopes of serving a second term as the European Union trade chief were killed off last night by Gordon Brown.

Mr Mandelson - who was forced to resign twice from the Cabinet in disgrace - was slapped down by the Prime Minister for hinting he was reconsidering his decision to quit Brussels.

The Premier bluntly stated there was no chance of Mr Mandelson being reappointed, while Downing Street sources insisted no discussions had ever taken place.

In the run-up to Mr Brown becoming Prime Minister last year, Mr Mandelson announced he would step down when his stint ended in 2009, to deny his old foe the satisfaction of axing him.

But last week it became clear Mr Mandelson had changed his tune, suggesting his "mind was open" to staying on in the £205,000-a-year job as Britain's EU commissioner.

Talks with Mr Brown had made him consider staying on in Brussels, friends indicated.

And Mr Brown made clear he had done a "good job" as commissioner, where he has negotiated trade agreements on behalf of the EU's member states since 2004.

But Mr Brown ruthlessly killed off speculation that the former Ulster Secretary could stay on when his five-year term ends next year, saying Mr Mandelson had already publicly ruled himself out.

In Brussels yesterday for a European Council summit, Mr Brown said: "Peter Mandelson has said he does not want to become the next commissioner, that he wants to do only one term."

Mr Mandelson was originally appointed by his ally Tony Blair.