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| I'm not in charge, says Mandelson | I'm not in charge, says Mandelson |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Lord Mandelson has assumed control of the government for a week as the prime minister's summer holiday continues. | Lord Mandelson has assumed control of the government for a week as the prime minister's summer holiday continues. |
| The business secretary will be running the country until Chancellor Alistair Darling begins a stint on Sunday. | The business secretary will be running the country until Chancellor Alistair Darling begins a stint on Sunday. |
| Lord Mandelson, who is returning from a break in Corfu, follows Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman in the role. | Lord Mandelson, who is returning from a break in Corfu, follows Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman in the role. |
| As he returned to the UK he said it was "absolute nonsense" to say he was in charge, adding the PM "is in charge of the country and has been throughout". | As he returned to the UK he said it was "absolute nonsense" to say he was in charge, adding the PM "is in charge of the country and has been throughout". |
| The prime minister is expected to leave his constituency of Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath for the Lake District this week, as he keeps up a record of always holidaying in the UK since assuming power two years ago. | The prime minister is expected to leave his constituency of Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath for the Lake District this week, as he keeps up a record of always holidaying in the UK since assuming power two years ago. |
| 'Not big beast' | 'Not big beast' |
| No one minister has officially been deputising for Mr Brown over the weekend after Ms Harman's foreign holiday overlapped with the business secretary's. | No one minister has officially been deputising for Mr Brown over the weekend after Ms Harman's foreign holiday overlapped with the business secretary's. |
| It had been speculated that Lord Mandelson could be running government affairs by phone from Corfu. | It had been speculated that Lord Mandelson could be running government affairs by phone from Corfu. |
| But a spokesman for the business secretary, who was recently promoted to first secretary of state, said it had been pre-agreed that he would be stand-in from his return until Sunday. | But a spokesman for the business secretary, who was recently promoted to first secretary of state, said it had been pre-agreed that he would be stand-in from his return until Sunday. |
| I'm a kindly pussycat, with strong views about what we need to do Lord Mandelson | I'm a kindly pussycat, with strong views about what we need to do Lord Mandelson |
| The Downing Street spokesman said Lord Mandelson would be dividing his time between his offices in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, and the Cabinet Office. | The Downing Street spokesman said Lord Mandelson would be dividing his time between his offices in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, and the Cabinet Office. |
| Lord Mandelson said after arriving back from Corfu: "It's been really good to go away and have nice peace and quiet on holiday. It was good and I am very glad to be back". | |
| But he added: "All this ridiculous song and dance about who is in charge is just a load of nonsense but he is on holiday and if there are small things I can pick up to give him the best holiday that he deserves, I'll certainly do that." | But he added: "All this ridiculous song and dance about who is in charge is just a load of nonsense but he is on holiday and if there are small things I can pick up to give him the best holiday that he deserves, I'll certainly do that." |
| He said he would be doing "bits and pieces" to help the prime minister. | |
| In recent weeks there has been some press speculation that Lord Mandelson could attempt to renounce his peerage and return to the House of Commons in a possible effort to become Labour leader. | In recent weeks there has been some press speculation that Lord Mandelson could attempt to renounce his peerage and return to the House of Commons in a possible effort to become Labour leader. |
| But in an interview with the Guardian newspaper, Lord Mandelson says he has become less overtly ambitious in recent years. | But in an interview with the Guardian newspaper, Lord Mandelson says he has become less overtly ambitious in recent years. |
| He is quoted as saying: "I don't really see myself as a big beast. More as a kindly pussycat. | He is quoted as saying: "I don't really see myself as a big beast. More as a kindly pussycat. |
| "Yes, a kindly pussycat. I'm a kindly pussycat, with strong views about what we need to do." | "Yes, a kindly pussycat. I'm a kindly pussycat, with strong views about what we need to do." |
| 'I've learned' | 'I've learned' |
| He added: "I think 10 years ago, and also 15 years ago, I was a very hard-nosed, uncompromising figure who was manning the barricades of change in the Labour Party, and prepared to take down anything or anyone who stood in the way. | He added: "I think 10 years ago, and also 15 years ago, I was a very hard-nosed, uncompromising figure who was manning the barricades of change in the Labour Party, and prepared to take down anything or anyone who stood in the way. |
| "I don't feel in that mode now. And secondly, I've learned from experience that you can defeat people without killing them." | "I don't feel in that mode now. And secondly, I've learned from experience that you can defeat people without killing them." |
| Asked about Mr Brown's holiday plans, a Downing Street spokesman said: "I am sure the prime minister will be engaged in a wide range of activities. | Asked about Mr Brown's holiday plans, a Downing Street spokesman said: "I am sure the prime minister will be engaged in a wide range of activities. |
| "I am certainly not going to be drawn on what those might be." | "I am certainly not going to be drawn on what those might be." |
| Meanwhile, protesters against the closure of the Vestas wind turbine factory in Newport, on the Isle of Wight, have chained themselves to Lord Mandelson's central London home. | Meanwhile, protesters against the closure of the Vestas wind turbine factory in Newport, on the Isle of Wight, have chained themselves to Lord Mandelson's central London home. |
| Members of the Climate Rush campaign group gathered in an "act of solidarity" for 625 workers set to lose their jobs. | Members of the Climate Rush campaign group gathered in an "act of solidarity" for 625 workers set to lose their jobs. |