Asked by journalists this week if he could see a future in front-line politics for Mandelson, Starmer said: “Not in a government role in terms of future appointments.”
Starmer also failed to commit to letting Mandelson return to parliament as a Labour-affiliated member of the House of Lords, telling journalists the “issue of the whip doesn’t arise” because Mandelson is on a leave of absence.
Ex-Labour PM Gordon Brown made Mandelson a life peer in 2008 so he could join his cabinet to become business secretary.
Asked by journalists this week if he could see a future in front-line politics for Peter Mandelson, Keir Starmer said: “Not in a government role in terms of future appointments.” | Pool photo by Carl Court via AFP/Getty Images
But Mandelson took a “leave of absence” from parliament in January to take on the high-profile diplomatic role as U.K. ambassador to Washington. He is yet to apply to return from his leave of absence, according to two people familiar with his status, granted anonymity because they are not authorized to speak on the record.
He has “no present plan” to return to the Lords, one of those quoted above said.
An application to return to parliament would trigger a three-month notice period.