Mandelson under fire as Blair Properties Inc eyes villa

[emad]

Mandelson under fire as Blair Properties Inc eyes villa
By Severin Carrell
Published: 28 August 2005

First it was Charles Clarke, then Tony Blair. Now Peter Mandelson is under fire ­ the latest politician to be attacked for daring to take a holiday in high summer.

Mr Mandelson, the EU Trade commissioner, has been accused of neglecting his responsibilities as the "bra wars" intensify and European retailers claim they face crisis. Tight new European quotas on clothing imports have led to huge stockpiles at European ports.

But rather than lead negotiations from Brussels, the commissioner has reportedly spent much of August relaxing in Capri and the Bay of Naples with his partner, Reinaldo da Silva. Last week they were spotted in the front row of the Pompeii opera, a sight which prompted at least two Sunday newspapers to carry either huge pictures of this event, indignant headlines, or both.

The Blair's summer break has generated even more interest, with added speculation about their whereabouts (concealed for security reasons) until Mr Blair himself decided to reveal they were in Barbados. Now they are said to be eyeing up a luxury villa in a gated community on the island to add to their burgeoning portfolio of properties. The couple already own a £3.65m Georgian townhouse in London, a Victorian house in Co Durham and two flats in Bristol.

http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/article308627.ece

[Greeby]

1. Umm, how can I put this

You've picked the wrong guy to be concerned over womens undergarments ;)

[emad]

2. Maybe not. Always thought he might be a closet cross dresser

with penchant for leather thongs.

[Benbow]

3. Some years ago, a newspaper printed an article about Mandy's taste in art

- illustrated - from which I formed the clear impression that women pictured in demeaning poses is some of what he likes. So he may well get off on the idea of women being, er, unsupported.

[emad]

4. Another bra-burning trotsky-ite poodle-sucker? Mandy was up

to his large intestine with Robert Maxwell and his son Kevin in every scam imaginable in the 1980s and early 90s.

He is at the heart of a huge con in property fraud in the UK. At its heart is the current proposed sale of Witanhurst.

[Kipling]

5. Why TWO flats in Bristol?

What possible reason...?