Mandelson fall-out spreads

Mandelson's departure has not ended the saga

The passport controversy which forced Peter Mandelson from the government could spread to other politicians amid opposition demands for a wider inquiry.

They want the focus to shift to those whose names have also been linked to the Hinduja brothers, such as Europe minister Keith Vaz.

Conservative leader William Hague claims a "whiff of suspicion" hangs over the whole government.

And the day after his resignation, Mr Mandelson declared his intention to remain MP for Hartlepool and said he will stand for re-election.

Meanwhile the businessman at the centre of the affair, Srichand Hinduja, has denied trying to seek political favours.

There remain many vital unresolved issues surrounding the Hinduja passport affair

William Hague

The Tories are tabling a series of parliamentary questions seeking to pin down which other ministers may have been involved in the passport saga.

Mr Vaz wrote to both Prime Minister Tony Blair and Mr Mandelson on behalf of the Hindujas in 1997.

Downing Street confirmed the inquiry - overseen by Sir Anthony Hammond QC - into the application for naturalisation by Mr Hinduja would cover representations made by Mr Vaz to the Home Office.

Sir Anthony would "doubtless" want to probe that aspect, said Prime Minister Tony Blair's official spokesman, Alastair Campbell.

The inquiry had already started and would be completed "as quickly as possible", he said.

'Whiff of suspicion'

But Mr Hague made it clear he had no intention of easing up his party's scrutiny of the episode.

"There remain many vital unresolved issues surrounding the Hinduja passport affair," he said.

He said the "whiff of suspicion" was hanging over the government.

The government spent the day seeking to draw a line under Mr Mandelson's departure, with Mr Blair referring to it only in passing at the weekly cabinet meeting.

Earlier, the prime minister told reporters that despite the extensive media coverage the most important thing was for the government to continue delivering on its policies.

Peter Mandelson leaving his London home on Thursday night

But it also became increasingly clear that Mr Mandelson should give up any expectations of a high-level political role in the future.

"Peter will not have anything like the role envisaged in the general election," said Mr Campbell.

"Peter has made it very clear he is removing himself from frontline politics."

And in a brutal indication of the extent of Mr Mandelson's fall, Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon suggested his general election role should be restricted to activities like "knocking on doors and delivering leaflets".

Mr Mandelson, credited with being a chief architect of New Labour, had up to Wednesday been chair of the party's election planning group.

Wide scope call

Mr Hague said the parliamentary questions his party was tabling would ask what the full contents were of Mr Vaz's representations on behalf of the Hindujas.

Liberal Democrat MP Mark Oaten said the investigation into the passport affair should be as wide-ranging as possible, as it was revealed that a third Hinduja brother had also approached Mr Mandelson about a passport application.

A Foreign Office spokesman insisted that Mr Vaz was "delighted" that there was to be an official inquiry into the Hinduja case.