The Conservative Party yesterday renewed its attack on Mr Peter Mandelson after more speculation about his financial affairs. The Shadow Trade Secretary, Mr John Redwood, wrote again to the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner, Ms Elizabeth Filkin, urging her to inquire into Mr Mandelson's acceptance of, and failure to declare, "at least one free flight" in the private jet of American underwear millionaire, Ms Linda Wachner.
Mr Mandelson resigned as Trade Secretary last Wednesday after the disclosure that he borrowed £373,000 sterling from Mr Geoffrey Robinson (who quit on the same day as Paymaster General) to buy a £475,000 house in fashionable west London.
Weekend reports focused on Mr Mandelson's friendship with Ms Wachner, head of the US Warnaco clothing conglomerate which makes and markets Calvin Klein products round the world. Mr Mandelson has confirmed that he accepted a free flight in her private jet and failed to declare it to parliament, but said the omission was because the flight was based on friendship and was not linked to his job as MP or minister.