Blair hands Mandelson EU commissioner post

PETER MANDELSON was yesterday nominated as Britain's next European Commissioner, and urged his critics to give him a chance.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair ended months of speculation over the future of his friend who has twice quit the Cabinet in controversy. Mr Mandelson said he had "agonised" over taking the post, but insisted another return to the Cabinet had never been an option.

His opponents immediately condemned the decision. Mr Mandelson accepted he was "unpalatable" to some in the Labour Party. But he said he had paid a very high price for his mistakes and asked his critics and the public to "give him a chance". Mr Blair hailed him as the best person for the job.