London - A return to the centre of government came a step closer for Mr Peter Mandelson yesterday, writes Rachel Donnelly, when he announced that the Britannia Building Society had decided he would not face censure over his mortgage application.
The former British trade and industry secretary (left) said in a statement that he had been given "a clean bill of health" by the building society. Media speculation that he had broken building society rules had increased the pressure on him to resign, and in a carefully worded rebuke to his opponents he said: "I wish my critics had waited to find out the real position before reaching hasty judgements. It is behind me now and I just want to get on with rebuilding my life and political career."
The controversy over the £373,000 undeclared loan which was given to Mr Mandelson by the former paymaster-general, Mr Geoffrey Robinson, led both men to resign from government last month.
A cabinet minister, Mr Stephen Byers, last night confirmed he has a 28-year-old son. But in a statement he appealed for the media to leave his son and his son's mother alone. He reacted to speculation that press reports were about to disclose details of the relationship.