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E.U. post for Blair ally

By Hasan Suroor

LONDON: Peter Mandelson, one of the most controversial figures in the Labour Party and sacked from the Cabinet three years ago for his role in the Hindujas passport affair, has been nominated as Britain's Commissioner to the European Union, provoking allegations of `croynism' against the Prime Minister, Tony Blair. He will replace Neil Kinnock and Chris Patten to become Britain's sole representative in the enlarged E.U. A close ally of Mr. Blair and regarded by critics as a bit of an "extra-constitutional'' presence in Downing Street, Mr. Mandelson was instrumental in getting him elected as leader of the Labour Party in 1994, paving the way for him to become Prime Minister three years later. Mr. Mandelson, who will have to resign as MP causing another uncertain by-election for the Labour Party ahead of the crucial general election next year, was forced to leave the Cabinet twice — first in 1998 for not declaring a loan he had taken from a fellow Cabinet Minister, and then in 2001 over allegations that he tried to facilitate Srichand Hinduja's citizenship application as a `favour' for the Hindujas' donation to the Millenium Dome. Mr. Blair defied protests from his own party MPs and the Opposition to give the high-profile job to Mr. Mandelson, describing him as the "best person for the job'', but critics called the choice `appalling.' Mr. Mandelson, who had lobbied hard for the post, said he was `delighted' and, dismissing critics, said: "I hope people will say: love him or loathe, he is a strong guy and we need a person to bat for a strong Britain in Europe.''

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