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PM pledges 'nation over politics' PM pledges 'nation over politics'
(about 2 hours later)
The national interest must come before party politics, the prime minister has said of his controversial appointment of Peter Mandelson to the cabinet.The national interest must come before party politics, the prime minister has said of his controversial appointment of Peter Mandelson to the cabinet.
Mr Mandelson, considered divisive by many Labour MPs, was drafted back to the cabinet for an unprecedented third time in a major cabinet reshuffle.Mr Mandelson, considered divisive by many Labour MPs, was drafted back to the cabinet for an unprecedented third time in a major cabinet reshuffle.
Gordon Brown said he wanted the best talent to tackle the economic crisis.Gordon Brown said he wanted the best talent to tackle the economic crisis.
But some MPs have not welcomed Mr Mandelson's return - one cabinet member is thought to have tried to prevent it.But some MPs have not welcomed Mr Mandelson's return - one cabinet member is thought to have tried to prevent it.
Long-running feudLong-running feud
Mr Mandelson, who for the last four years has been an EU trade commissioner, has been appointed as business secretary, replacing John Hutton.Mr Mandelson, who for the last four years has been an EU trade commissioner, has been appointed as business secretary, replacing John Hutton.
The move triggered controversy among MPs not only because Mr Mandelson has twice been forced to resign, but because he and the prime minister are known to have been locked in a long-running feud.The move triggered controversy among MPs not only because Mr Mandelson has twice been forced to resign, but because he and the prime minister are known to have been locked in a long-running feud.
But speaking outside Downing Street earlier, Mr Brown said: "I think the national interest comes before any party politics and any personality politics.But speaking outside Downing Street earlier, Mr Brown said: "I think the national interest comes before any party politics and any personality politics.
CABINET MOVES Peter Mandelson - businessMargaret Beckett - housingGeoff Hoon - transportDes Browne resignsEd Miliband - climate/energyJohn Hutton - defenceJim Murphy - ScotlandLiam Byrne - cabinet officeCaroline Flint - Europe minister In quotes: Reshuffle reactionMandelson: Third time luckyIn full: Cabinet reshuffleCABINET MOVES Peter Mandelson - businessMargaret Beckett - housingGeoff Hoon - transportDes Browne resignsEd Miliband - climate/energyJohn Hutton - defenceJim Murphy - ScotlandLiam Byrne - cabinet officeCaroline Flint - Europe minister In quotes: Reshuffle reactionMandelson: Third time luckyIn full: Cabinet reshuffle
"Today we see a Labour government which is determined to work with business and to work with the rest of the community to deal with the real challenges that we face as a result of these global changes.""Today we see a Labour government which is determined to work with business and to work with the rest of the community to deal with the real challenges that we face as a result of these global changes."
Mr Brown said he had put together a cabinet that could draw on expertise from across the business sector and the European Union.Mr Brown said he had put together a cabinet that could draw on expertise from across the business sector and the European Union.
The prime minister's decision was praised earlier by Ed Miliband, also a beneficiary of the reshuffle, having been appointed as head of the new Department for Energy and Climate Change. School's Secretary Ed Balls acknowledged the move posed dangers for the government, but said it was "the right thing to do".
He told Sky News: "Of course it's a risk, but at the same time, it's also a great opportunity for our country and our government.
"Gordon Brown looked at this carefully and he decided it was worth that risk and I think that was the right thing to do."
Mr Balls insisted that Mr Mandelson is "devoted" to public service and "cares passionately" about the country.
Earlier, the prime minister's decision was also praised by Ed Miliband, another beneficiary of the reshuffle, having been appointed as head of the new Department for Energy and Climate Change.
He said Mr Mandelson was an "immense talent" who would be welcomed by the business community.He said Mr Mandelson was an "immense talent" who would be welcomed by the business community.
Of course we've had our ups and downs but we have also known each other for over 20 years and originally we worked very well together Peter MandelsonBusiness Secretary Profile: Peter MandelsonBrowne quits cabinetBusiness hails Mandelson return
He told BBC News: "Some people like him, some people who don't like him - but even his critics would accept that this is someone of immense talent.He told BBC News: "Some people like him, some people who don't like him - but even his critics would accept that this is someone of immense talent.
"I think British business will be thinking, actually, Peter Mandelson's a good person to be in charge of our interests in government.""I think British business will be thinking, actually, Peter Mandelson's a good person to be in charge of our interests in government."
Of course we've had our ups and downs but we have also known each other for over 20 years and originally we worked very well together Peter MandelsonBusiness Secretary Profile: Peter MandelsonBrowne quits cabinetBusiness hails Mandelson return
But BBC political correspondent Iain Watson said: "Some backbenchers on the left have already denounced his appointment while I understand one cabinet minister tried to block it at the 11th hour".But BBC political correspondent Iain Watson said: "Some backbenchers on the left have already denounced his appointment while I understand one cabinet minister tried to block it at the 11th hour".
Left-wing Labour MP John McDonnell said it was "an extraordinary step backwards" and that he was "possibly the most divisive figure in Labour's recent history".Left-wing Labour MP John McDonnell said it was "an extraordinary step backwards" and that he was "possibly the most divisive figure in Labour's recent history".
But international development secretary Douglas Alexander denied the move would be divisive.But international development secretary Douglas Alexander denied the move would be divisive.
"I think he will make a significant contribution to the continuing challenge of sustaining our economy," said."I think he will make a significant contribution to the continuing challenge of sustaining our economy," said.
He added: "He is a Labour party man, he wasn't expecting this return."He added: "He is a Labour party man, he wasn't expecting this return."
And former home secretary David Blunkett described the appointment as a "masterstroke" and told the BBC it would unite the government.
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
Mr Mandelson said he was surprised but "proud" when the announcement was made on Friday.Mr Mandelson said he was surprised but "proud" when the announcement was made on Friday.
He twice resigned from cabinet posts under Tony Blair's leadership - once over a loan from ministerial colleague Geoffrey Robinson and once over allegations of misconduct regarding a passport application for the Hinduja brothers.He twice resigned from cabinet posts under Tony Blair's leadership - once over a loan from ministerial colleague Geoffrey Robinson and once over allegations of misconduct regarding a passport application for the Hinduja brothers.
He was later cleared of any wrongdoing.He was later cleared of any wrongdoing.
Ed Miliband said the creation of the new Department for Energy and Climate Change was a recognition that the two issues must be considered in tandem.
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
He told BBC Radio 4: "With the majority of carbon emissions coming from our use of energy, it's right to bring them together."
The reshuffle could force Conservative leader David Cameron to follow suit with his shadow cabinet to take account of the changes made to the government, including the creation of the new department.The reshuffle could force Conservative leader David Cameron to follow suit with his shadow cabinet to take account of the changes made to the government, including the creation of the new department.
Other key movers in the reshuffle include Geoff Hoon, who has taken over from Ruth Kelly as transport secretary, while Nick Brown returns to the cabinet as chief whip.
Immigration minister Liam Byrne is promoted to the new role of policy co-ordinator, which is not a full cabinet role, but he will attend cabinet meetings.
Margaret Beckett replaces Caroline Flint as housing minister. Ms Flint moves to the Foreign Office as Europe minister.
Leader of the House of Lords, Baroness Ashton, replaces Mr Mandelson in Brussels.
Former home secretary David Blunkett described the appointment as a "masterstroke" and told the BBC it would unite the government.
For the Conservatives, William Hague said it was a "stunning failure of judgement" by Mr Brown: "In bringing back Peter Mandelson - the man who created Labour spin - he has broken his promise to govern in an honest and open way."For the Conservatives, William Hague said it was a "stunning failure of judgement" by Mr Brown: "In bringing back Peter Mandelson - the man who created Labour spin - he has broken his promise to govern in an honest and open way."
Danny Alexander, for the Liberal Democrats, said: "Resurrecting ex-ministers from the political graveyard is not going to breathe new life into Gordon Brown's zombie government."Danny Alexander, for the Liberal Democrats, said: "Resurrecting ex-ministers from the political graveyard is not going to breathe new life into Gordon Brown's zombie government."