The bitter war of words between Downing Street and Peter Mandelson over his dramatic resignation flared into new life today amid claims that he was driven from government to meet a media deadline.

Jack Straw has been being named as the man who triggered Peter Mandelson's downfall by informing Tony Blair of a discrepancy in the former Northern Ireland Secretary's account of events.

Srichand Hinduja today said that he had done no more than inquire of Mr Mandelson, Mr Vaz and some other politicians how his passport application was proceeding.

Northern Secretary Peter Mandelson has been called into 10 Downing Street by Tony Blair to "establish the facts" of his involvement with a passport application.

Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson was under mounting pressure to quit last night after admitting he asked a fellow minister whether a £1m Millennium Dome donor’s passport application could be reconsidered.