BRITAIN: "Third time lucky" Mr Peter Mandelson was confirmed yesterday as the United Kingdom's new European Commissioner. The Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, confirmed his nomination in a telephone call to the President-elect of the European Commission, Mr José Manuel Barroso. And in a warm personal tribute Mr Blair described his friend and confidant as "the best person for the job" with all "the skills, ability and contacts in Europe to make a great success" of the post.
The former Europe minister Mr Keith Vaz welcomed Mr Blair's appointment of "a big beast" and "heavy hitter" to Brussels. And the Liberal Democrats' foreign affairs spokesman, Sir Menzies Campbell, said Mr Mandelson's return illustrated "the well-known political principle, 'third time lucky'."
However, the controversial appointment also brought instant confirmation of Mr Mandelson's ability to divide the Labour Party, while the Conservatives accused Mr Blair of "cronyism", and the United Kingdom Independence Party's star, MEP Mr Robert Kilroy-Silk, signalled he might fight the resulting Hartlepool by-election.
The bookmakers, meanwhile, were offering odds on whether the twice-resigned Mr Mandelson would actually see out his full term as Commissioner. In a statement he said he was "delighted" to have been nominated.
"It is a great honour as well as a huge challenge and I will give it my all," he said, adding that he had "agonised over this decision because of my loyalty to my constituents in Hartlepool".
However, in a subsequent interview on Sky News, Mr Mandelson denied there had been any delay in the announcement because of behind-the-scenes wrangling. When asked whether there had been any discussion about his possible return to the cabinet, he replied: "It was not an issue. That was not an option."
Euro-sceptic Labour MP Ms Kate Hoey claimed Mr Mandelson's personal "style" could add millions to the No vote in a referendum on the European constitution. And the director of the Vote No campaign, Mr Neil O'Brien, declared: "We welcome the appointment of Peter Mandelson. Who better to put the case for the European constitution than a discredited politician whose name is a byword for lies and spin?"
Conservative Party co-chairman Dr Liam Fox said: "The EU needs commissioners who will actually tackle the appalling problem of fraud and corruption in the EU. Peter Mandelson is unlikely to inspire public confidence in their ability to deal with this problem."
Mr Mandelson acknowledged he was "unpalatable" to some members of the Labour Party but said the idea that he would reduce the chance of a Yes vote in a reference was no more than "a propaganda line".
He hoped the public would respond by saying, "Love him or loathe him, he is a strong guy. We need someone to bat for Britain in Brussels. Give him a chance."
And he said his intended return visits to Hartlepool would keep his feet "firmly planted on the ground".