Mr Peter Mandelson announced that he was resigning from the British government for the second time in his career, when he spoke to reporters outside No. 10 Downing Street yesterday.
The following is Mr Mandelson's full statement: "I am today resigning from the government and wish to set out the background to my decision.
"I do not accept in any way that I have acted improperly in respect of any application for naturalisation as a British citizen.
"I do accept that when my office spoke to a Sunday newspaper at the weekend, I should have been clear that it was me personally, not my officials who spoke to a Home Office minister."
Mr Mandelson went on: "As a result of that, wrong information was given to the House by the Culture Secretary and by the Prime Minister's spokesman to the press. I accept responsibility for that.
"I would ask people to understand that my sole desire and motivation throughout was to emphasise that I had not sought to influence the decision on naturalisation in any way at all, merely to pass on a request for information and the Prime Minister is entirely satisfied with this.
"I confess in reaching my decision that there is another factor. As a reading of today's newspapers shows all too graphically, there must be more to politics than the constant media pressure and exposure that have dogged me for the last five or so years.
"I want to remove myself from the countless stories of controversy, feuds and division and all the rest.
"I want, in other words, to lead a more normal life, both in politics and, in the future, outside."
Mr Mandelson added: "Finally, it has been the greatest privilege of my political life to play a part in the peace process in Northern Ireland, something far bigger and more important than any one individual or his career.
"We are so close now to a final settlement, to a complete implementation of this Government's, as well as others', achievement - the Good Friday agreement.
"I only hope and pray that everything that we have worked for and the parties in Northern Ireland have worked for now comes to pass and I wish the people in Northern Ireland every success and peace in the future and I thank them for their kindness to me.
"The Prime Minister has asked me to do Northern Ireland Questions in the House this afternoon. I shall then listen to Prime Minister's Questions and then formally I will resign from the government."
After making his statement, Mr Mandelson refused to respond to questions from reporters.
He was driven away from Downing Street in his blue ministerial Jaguar.