Author says Mandelson leaked story

London - The biographer of the former British cabinet minister, Mr Peter Mandelson, claimed last night he had decided not to …

London - The biographer of the former British cabinet minister, Mr Peter Mandelson, claimed last night he had decided not to publish details of the home loan which led to the former trade and industry secretary's downfall.

Mr Paul Routledge said he had already told his publishers to remove the loan story from his book when details of it were leaked from a draft copy.

He also claimed that Mr Mandelson, who eventually resigned on December 23rd over the £373,000 sterling loan he took from the former paymaster general, Mr Geoffrey Robinson, leaked the story himself when he found out it was in the book draft.