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Lord Mandelson's took over running Britain today - from a holiday villa in Corfu.
The Business Secretary officially began his week as Gordon Brown's holiday stand-in without even being in the country.
He was at the Greek island where he has reportedly been staying as the guest of financier Nat Rothschild and is not expected at his desk until Monday afternoon. Deputy leader Harriet Harman, who was in charge this week, flew off on holiday to Italy this morning. Lord Mandelson was spotted flying to Corfu a few days ago.
The empty desk makes a farce of the so-called holiday cover arrangements introduced to give the weary premier a month away from Downing Street.
Officials said that any crisis would be handled personally by Mr Brown, but there was no disguising the political embarrassment felt in Whitehall. An aide to Ms Harman said: "We handed over last night. I don't know anything about this."
A No 10 official said: "[Lord Mandelson] will be in the office on Monday doing any heavy lifting required. He is on call."
Corfu was the scene for a political scandal last year involving Lord Mandelson and shadow chancellor George Osborne who met on the yacht of Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska while they were guests of Mr Rothschild.
Reader views (4)
He is UNELECTED has been thrown out a couple of times so how is he IN CHARGE. In prison more like...Is this a Denocracy or is it not? because I never Voted for this clone
- Clif, London
Graham Rodhouse, Helmond, Netherlands - you said,"If Brown can be persuaded to hand over the Leadership of the Labour party to Mandelson, then there is a chance of Labour swinging the polls in their direction again and even winning the election."
Given the man's known propensity for less than scrupulous behaviour on the political scene, one glaring question would be just HOW he would go about 'winning the election' when it comes. I am assuming that you, Graham, along with other die-hards, aren't too worried about that side of things....?
- Rogan, Irving
I feel happier with Peter Mandelson running the country from Corfu than with Gordon Brown running it from Downing Street. If Brown can be persuaded to hand over the Leadership of the Labour party to Mandelson, then there is a chance of Labour swinging the polls in their direction again and even winning the election.
- Graham Rodhouse, Helmond, Netherlands
Where does the buck stop???
- Tonyjohnson, Hythe Kent
