Mandelson blamed for Euro Splits

Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson has been accused of causing splits within the Government on the Euro by refusing to drop his own pro-European beliefs.

Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson has been accused of causing splits within the Government on the Euro by refusing to drop his own pro-European beliefs.

The latest instalment from the memoirs of former Paymaster General Geoffrey Robinson, said that Mr Mandelson undermined the Government's attempts to appear united by continually advancing his own views.

The allegations add to the pressure already caused by Mr Robinson's memoirs, which have already reignited the controversy of his home loan to Mr Mandelson, as well as the question of whether he funded Tony Blair's private office in the run-up to the 1997 election.

The developments represent a major embarrassment for Labour, who made heavy use of accusations of sleaze against the Conservatives in the last general election.

The Conservatives are calling for the Commons Standards and Privileges Committee to reopen its inquiry into the loan, as well as asking for Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards Elizabeth Filkin to probe the possible donations to Mr Blair's office.

Tory leader William Hague is expected to increase the pressure on Labour with an attack on Mr Mandelson. However, the Northern Ireland Secretary is fighting back, saying that Robinson had been "drawn into a plot" against him.