Mandelson 'wants to lead normal life'

Peter Mandelson today said: "I want to lead a more normal life, both in politics and outside".

He was speaking outside Downing Street after he resigned as Northern Secretary.

Mr Mandelson said he had been dogged by "constant media exposure over the years" and that he wanted to leave that behind him.

He added: "I do accept, however, that when my office spoke to a Sunday newspaper at the weekend I should have been clear that it was me personally, not my official, who spoke to the Home Office minister."

"My soul motivation was to emphasise that I had not sought to influence the decision on naturalisation" of the Hinduja brothers' passport application.

"The Prime Minister is entirely satisfied with this."

He added that he hoped the Good Friday Agreement would be a success.

"I hope and pray that everything we have worked for comes to pass. I wish the people of Northern Ireland every success and peace in the future."

Mr Mandelson will handle Northern Ireland questions in the Commons this afternoon, after which he will officially resign from Cabinet.