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Mandelson denies Blair criticism 'Blair attack' recording released
(about 5 hours later)
Ex-NI Secretary Peter Mandelson has rejected claims he criticised the prime minister's handling of some aspects of the peace process. The Guardian has published a recording of an interview it conducted with former NI Secretary Peter Mandelson.
He was said to have accused Tony Blair of "unreasonable and irresponsible" behaviour over "concessions" to Sinn Fein during attempts to broker a deal. It comes after Mr Mandelson rejected the paper's claims that he criticised the prime minister's handling of some aspects of the peace process.
The comments, relating to his years in office, were contained in an interview for the Guardian newspaper. He accused Tony Blair of "unreasonable and irresponsible" behaviour over "concessions" to Sinn Fein.
He said it was neither a "credible or true reflection of my views". However, he subsequently told the BBC the story was not a "credible or true reflection" of his views.
The claims come as Tony Blair tries to broker a power-sharing deal between Sinn Fein and the DUP, after the two parties dominated last week's election to the Northern Ireland assembly. The comments, relating to his years in office, come as Tony Blair tries to broker a power-sharing deal between Sinn Fein and the DUP, after the two parties dominated last week's election to the Northern Ireland assembly.
Mr Mandelson, a close allay of the prime minister, was Northern Ireland Secretary between 1999 and 2001 before resigning amid the Hinduja passport application affair. Mr Mandelson, a close ally of the prime minister, was Northern Ireland secretary between 1999 and 2001 before resigning amid the Hinduja passport application affair.
Mr Blair wants power-sharing in place by 26 MarchMr Blair wants power-sharing in place by 26 March
In a Guardian interview for a series examining the prime minister's handling of the peace process, Mr Mandelson praised Mr Blair for his commitment to the process, dating back to when he became Labour leader in 1994.In a Guardian interview for a series examining the prime minister's handling of the peace process, Mr Mandelson praised Mr Blair for his commitment to the process, dating back to when he became Labour leader in 1994.
But he was said to have added: "In order to keep the process in motion [Tony] would be sort of dangling carrots and possibilities in front of the republicans which I thought could never be delivered, that it was unreasonable and irresponsible to intimate that you could when you knew that you couldn't." But he added: "In order to keep the process in motion [Tony] would be sort of dangling carrots and possibilities in front of the republicans which I thought could never be delivered, that it was unreasonable and irresponsible to intimate that you could when you knew that you couldn't."
Former cabinet secretary Lord Butler of Brockwell also acknowledged the difficulty facing Mr Blair in balancing the need to bring the republicans on board without alienating unionists.Former cabinet secretary Lord Butler of Brockwell also acknowledged the difficulty facing Mr Blair in balancing the need to bring the republicans on board without alienating unionists.
He said: "There was a lot to be said for paying a price to keep the bicycle moving. The issue is whether Tony Blair paid too big a price."He said: "There was a lot to be said for paying a price to keep the bicycle moving. The issue is whether Tony Blair paid too big a price."
However, Mr Mandelson has played down the story. 'Balancing risks'
However, Mr Mandelson subsequently played down the story.
He said: "This report amplifies something I said out of all proportion to its content and makes a generalised judgment totally unsupported by the remarks I made.He said: "This report amplifies something I said out of all proportion to its content and makes a generalised judgment totally unsupported by the remarks I made.
"What they present as news is very old hat to anyone with a passing familiarity with Northern Ireland's recent history.""What they present as news is very old hat to anyone with a passing familiarity with Northern Ireland's recent history."
In a statement following Mr Mandelson's denial, The Guardian said it had taken a decision to publish a recording of the interview.
It said: "The Guardian believes it reported his remarks about the prime minister accurately and fairly.
"But in order to give readers the opportunity to judge the issue for themselves, we have published the relevant section of the interview."
The prime minister's official spokesman said that the peace process was about "balancing risks".
"It was about trying to bring both sides along. The ultimate test is whether you succeed in that process or not," he said.
"Looking back what it was all about was bringing all sides along to where we are now.
"Where we are now is that we have had an election in which the very clear message on the doorstep was that the public want their politicians to get on with it and deal with domestic Northern Ireland matters."