I'm a kindly pussycat, says Mandelson as he takes charge of UK

Published on Monday 10 August 2009 22:07

PETER Mandelson has used his first day at the helm of Britain to try to play down his image as a power-crazed political assassin, insisting he was just a "cuddly pussycat".

The man who is deputy prime minister in all but name was in control of day-to-day government business yesterday while Prime Minister Gordon Brown embarked on his holiday in the Lake District.

But Lord Mandelson, who holds the dual mandate of Business Secretary and First Secretary, insisted he was not standing in for Mr Brown.

"I'm not in charge of the country. The Prime Minister is in charge of the country and he has been throughout," he said after flying in to Gatwick Airport on an easyJet flight.

"All this ridiculous song and dance about who is in charge is just a load of nonsense. But he (the Prime Minister] 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."

In an interview published yesterday, Lord Mandelson also said he had left his hard-nosed image behind him.

"I don't see myself as a big beast. More a kindly pussycat. Yes, a kindly pussycat. I'm a kindly pussycat with strong views about what we need to do," he said.

Lord Mandelson's return from his break on the Greek island of Corfu ended a three-day power vacuum, during which no minister was at the tiller of Downing Street.

Labour's deputy leader Harriet Harman flew to Italy on Friday, while Lord Mandelson enjoyed the hospitality of the Rothschild banking family in their villa.

However, Lord Mandelson was checking in on his BlackBerry, burning the midnight oil throughout the weekend.

Yesterday, after he was ushered through Gatwick's Sussex Suite VIP lounge, Lord Mandelson headed back to Whitehall to resume work at his desk at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

Officials said he would divide his time between there and his office in the Cabinet Office until he in turn hands over the reins of government to Chancellor Alistair Darling on Monday.

However, outside his Regents Park townhouse, the Cabinet minister had a more sinister welcome. His home was besieged by protesters angry at the closure of Britain's only wind turbine factory.

Students dressed as suffragettes held up a banner referring to the Vestas factory on the Isle of Wight, saying: "Mandy put some wind in Vestas' sales."

This week, Lord Mandelson is expected to concentrate on the crisis facing the motor industry, as well as announcing a capital enterprise fund. Tomorrow his department will unveil the winners of a competition to come up with a new football chant. It is not yet known whether the words "Peter Mandelson for Prime Minister" will form part of the chorus.

Mr Brown, meanwhile, travelled from his home in Fife to the Lake District for the second leg of his summer break, continuing his tradition of holidaying in the UK since entering No10.