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Mandelson: I did not talk to Russian about EU tariffs
Paul Waugh, Deputy Political Editor4 Nov 2008
LORD Mandelson today suggested he had never discussed EU trade tariffs with the Russian billionaire at the centre of the "yachtgate" affair.
The Business Secretary declared that he had not at any point talked about business with Oleg Deripaska, the aluminium tycoon who hosted him and Tory George Osborne on his yacht off Corfu this summer.
Lord Mandelson rejects accusations he intervened to get tariffs reduced for Mr Deripaska, who stood to gain hundreds of millions of pounds.
He said he would answer "fully and faithfully" all questions put to him by the House of Lords, whose register of interests he has to complete this week.
The minister last week refused repeatedly to say whether he had talked about tariffs with Mr Deripaska when he was EU Trade Commissioner. Although he insists no such discussions took place on the yacht, there was speculation that in previous meetings in Russia the subject had been raised.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "The question is not how many times I talk to somebody, but what happens in the conversation. In these conversations, with this gentleman, there was no discussion of EU trade business, there was no discussion about tariffs or anti-dumping duties. The Director-General for Trade of the European Commission has made this absolutely clear that the whole Commission...operated in the normal way. It's simply not possible for me as commissioner in those circumstances to do favours for individuals and I wouldn't dream of trying."
When asked if he would be declaring the hospitality he received on the Russian's yacht, he replied: "I will be answering fully and faithfully to every question put to me by the House of Lords and any other register of interest."
Lord Mandelson said his case was different from that of the shadow chancellor, who last week apologised for meeting Mr Deripaska. "I had no discussion of any business at all during those discussions and therefore no impropriety and no conflict of interest arose," he said.
"That is the difference between me and George Osborne and why he needed to apologise and explain his behaviour and why I too have explained that during my conversations there was no conflict arising and therefore no further action for me to take," he said.
Last month, Lord Mandelson admitted meeting Mr Deripaska two years earlier than previously revealed. EU officials had said the two had met socially in 2006 and last year. But in a letter to the Times, he revealed they first met in 2004.
In his letter, last month, Lord Mandelson wrote: "During the weekend when I moved from Brussels to London and prior to me being admitted to hospital for an urgent medical procedure, a statement was released to the press which said I had had meetings with Mr Deripaska in 2006 and 2007.
"Some people formed the reasonable view, therefore, that my first meeting with him was in 2006. This is not the case: To the best of my recollection we first met in 2004 and I met him several times subsequently."
Reader views (16)
But what is duplicitous and deceiptful politicking if it isn't saying one thing when the exact opposite is so very probable?
None of us are not stupid enough, Mandelson, to realise that covert, third party complicity can go a long way to securing mutually highly favourable 'personal' 'business' deals, that will obviously remain denied and unrecorded.
- Dave, cumbria, 05/11/2008 09:22
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I think Mandy is the trickiest member of the government the UK has ever known It really is severe test trying to predict what he will do next - and non of it ever seems to benefit the wider British pulic.
- Robert El-Cid,, Hull, East Yorks.,, 05/11/2008 09:21
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When you tell the truth you never have to remember what you have said. The truth almost always comes out, it sometimes takes years, but eventually the truth does surface. A lot the of Evening Standards readers may have been born at night, but not last night.... Lord Mandelson.
- Thomas, Edinburgh, Scotland, 04/11/2008 23:26
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Why is he still employed?
- Jacqueline, Hampstead, London, 04/11/2008 22:58
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But Mandy also said he had filled in his mortgage application honestly....ahem.
- Tom, St. Albans, 04/11/2008 20:31
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It is only a matter of time before this twice sacked Minister makes it Three in a Row. And I for one will rejoice. (Though I suspect I will not be alone).
- Patrick, Oswestry, UJ, 04/11/2008 19:32
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How sad that no-one appears to believe Lord Mandy, but then it is his past performance, where he had to resign not once but twice from cabinet. First a dodgy loan from Lord Robinson who was being investigated by Mandy's then department; next allegedly a Hinduja passport or two. Who really cares now; but these actions helped prove his fitness to become EU Trade Commissioner.
While there Mandy met Deripaska several times from 2004 onwards not 2006 as was originally said. But unlike normal human beings who when they first meet and subsequently meet people Mr Mandleson as he then was and Oleg Deripaska a.k.a Mr Aluminium as he still is; never ever discussed aluminium or trade tariffs. So, we mere mortals are expected to believe Lord Mandy who even this morning on radio refused to answer questions about how Deripaska benefited by tens of millions due to the EU dropping trade tariffs where, until his ennoblement plain old Mr Mandy was EU trade commissioner.
No smoke there, oh no, none at all and if it is right for George Osborne to apologise for being a prat. What about new Lord Mandy who was having his free holiday on Mr Deripaska's luxury yacht. The same Mr Deripaska is not allowed into the USA. So why was his Lordship holidaying on the billionaire's boat, surely it was because it was private and most of all free and there was not the remotest possibility of talking about aluminium or trade tariffs as Lord Mandleson has told us so it must be true.
- James, Teddington, 04/11/2008 18:47
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Absolutely trust every word that comes out his sleazy mouth 100%.
- Frank, Home Counties, England, 04/11/2008 18:31
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Be a man for once Mandy and take a lie detector test!!!
- Mark A, london england, 04/11/2008 17:59
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His mouth moved - therefore he lied!
- Mike, london, 04/11/2008 17:42
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As I said in an earlier comment I am very cynical about Labour politician's statements. I was a Labour supporter for many years & active party member for some of this time
- Terry Godman, London, England, 04/11/2008 17:36
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Is it me? Every time Mandy speaks I just find it impossible to believe what he says. Do Russian billionaires really just invite such powerful people to events for their witty, social banter?
- Steve, Cirencester, UK, 04/11/2008 16:56
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Lord Mandy is telling the truth, I saw his lips move that confirms it!
- Stevew, WMids, 04/11/2008 16:54
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Of course you didn't Mandy...... We believe you...!!!!!
- Tom, london, 04/11/2008 16:33
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Translation: Mandelson has confirmed that nobody has any evidence of him talking about tariffs with the Russian Oligarch.
- St, London, 04/11/2008 16:31
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This may be right, but he hasn't denied discussing it with Mr Rothchilds
- Jeremiah, London, 04/11/2008 14:44
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