This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7294631.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
No 10 denies Mandelson EU rethink No 10 denies Mandelson EU rethink
(about 1 hour later)
The prime minister's official spokesman has dampened speculation that Peter Mandelson might serve a second term as the UK's EU commissioner in Brussels.The prime minister's official spokesman has dampened speculation that Peter Mandelson might serve a second term as the UK's EU commissioner in Brussels.
It had been reported the ex-cabinet minister was considering remaining in the job he took up in November 2004. It was reported the ex-cabinet minister was considering remaining in the job, after a recent chat with Gordon Brown.
This followed a conversation last month with Gordon Brown, it was suggested. Mr Brown picks the person for the role.
But the prime minister's spokesman told journalists: "Mr Mandelson has said he wouldn't be serving a second term."But the prime minister's spokesman told journalists: "Mr Mandelson has said he wouldn't be serving a second term."
He added that the prime minister believed Mr Mandelson "has been a very good commissioner". Mr Mandelson's spokesman said he would not comment "as it is a subject that will not arise until next year".
The spokesman said No 10 was still in the early stages of deciding who would be the next person in the five-year role. "Mr Mandelson is happy with the recent discussion he had with Gordon Brown on this subject," he told the BBC News website.
It is up to the prime minister of the day to appoint the UK's commissioner - Mr Mandelson was appointed to the position by previous prime minister Tony Blair. Mr Mandelson, a former Northern Ireland Secretary, said a year ago that he would step down as the European Union's trade commissioner in 2009.
'Can't fire me''Can't fire me'
Mr Mandelson said a year ago that he would step down as the European Union's trade commissioner in 2009. He was appointed by the previous prime minister, Tony Blair.
There had been speculation that he would lose his role when Mr Brown took office, as the pair reportedly fell out when Mr Mandelson backed Mr Blair for the Labour leadership 14 years ago. There had been speculation he would lose his role when Mr Brown took office, as the pair reportedly fell out 14 years ago, when Mr Mandelson backed Mr Blair for the Labour leadership.
The former Northern Ireland Secretary said Mr Brown "can't actually fire me" when pressed on the matter in a BBC interview last March. "Like it or not, I'm afraid [Mr Brown] will have to accept me as commissioner until November 2009," Mr Mandelson said when pressed on the matter in a BBC interview last March.
"Like it or not, I'm afraid he will have to accept me as commissioner until November 2009," he added. "But I will not be seeking a nomination for a further term after that time," he added during an interview in which he also pointed out the prime minister "can't actually fire me".
"But I will not be seeking a nomination for a further term after that time." The commissioner's spokesman said he had used his recent meeting with Mr Brown to "explain the context" of these remarks.
It is understood Mr Mandelson felt unhappy about the way they came across in the radio interview.