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Clare
Short's threat to quit not the tip of an iceberg says Peter Mandelson
In
a live interview on 大象传媒 World Service, former cabinet minister and
confidante of the British Prime Minister, Peter Mandelson MP, said
Clare Short's threat to quit if there is no UN mandate for war was
"perplexing".
On
Sunday 9 March, Clare Short, International Development Secretary,
said in an interview on 大象传媒 Radio 4 that she would consider resigning
and described the current situation as "extraordinarily reckless."
On
Newshour on Monday 10 March, Peter Mandelson said: "I think
it is extremely perplexing. I think people will ask why she is choosing
to say this, why she is choosing to say it now in such language
and why she gave no warning of her criticism of the Prime Minister
both in the Cabinet last Thursday and also when she has spoken to
him personally and directly since then."
Asked
by Robin Lustig whether Clare Short's views were an indication of
huge tensions at the highest levels of the British government, Peter
Mandelson said:
"It may or may not. It may reflect something which is more personal
to Clare.
"I
mean, if in respect of Iraq and the very difficult situation that
we are facing this is suddenly an issue of principle in her mind
you are bound to ask why she should suddenly discover her principles
on this matter on this particular Sunday afternoon when this particular
大象传媒 interview was recorded. I really can give no explanation for
it.
"I
see no evidence of this being a tip of an iceberg. I have talked
to colleagues in Parliament this morning and I have talked to others
who are generally in touch with the ministerial ranks of the Government
and they do not believe that an iceberg is waiting to detach itself
from the body of the Government."
Listen
to Newshour on the
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