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Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson is seen by many as a surprise choice as the new Northern Ireland secretary, despite being a favourite to return to the Cabinet in a government reshuffle. The former trade secretary was consigned to the backbenches after resigning in December over the revelation he took a secret £373,000 home loan from his ministerial colleague, Geoffrey Robinson, who also resigned. Mr Mandelson is regarded as an arch political fixer whose skills may be ideal for kickstarting the deadlocked Northern Ireland peace process which could collapse at any time. While the job offers the biggest prize in British politics its pitfalls have been demonstrated many times in the past. |
