The Minister vanishes but his shadow lingers

Peter Mandelson did not anticipate the political risks involved in accepting an interest-free loan of 373,000 pounds sterling from his friend, Geoffrey Robinson, despite it being obvious that he could not afford his extravagant life-style on his salary of 43,000 pounds. Robinson's loan was more like a gift because there were no arrangements made to repay it and it should have been obvious that questions would be asked eventually. A biography of Mandelson contained details of the loan and it became clear to those around him that resignation was the only avenue open to him.