Peter Mandelson was a man with few friends on the Labour benches - although, judging by today's tabloid press, he had even fewer in Fleet Street.

One after another, the tabloids line up to put a final kick into the man who made an indelible mark as the supreme media-manipulator.

Today is payback day for Mandelson and Fleet Street is crowing. The broadsheets, though, take a less emotive stance on the resignation of the man who second to Tony Blair did more than any other to establish new Labour as a recognisable high street brand.

"R.I.Peter 1985-2001: Here lies the political career of Peter Benjamin Mandelson...and lies and lies and lies," revels the Mirror.

His coverage, though, is harshest from the euro-sceptic camp, which celebrates the departure of the cabinet's keenest euro-enthusiast.

"Goodbye and good riddance (This time don't come back)," screams the Sun.

The Mail plays on his close relationship with the prime minister, with a sombre photograph of Blair and his alter ego under the headline: "The End of the Affair."

The broadsheets, who welcome Mandy's departure, stick the knife in - but refrain from twisting it. Says The Telegraph: "He quit in disgrace...leaving serious questions about Tony Blair's judgement."

The Guardian, though, strikes a less celebratory note. "A glittering career in ruins," mourns its front page.

The Mail points out how the BBC's top political pundit, Andrew Marr, took less than 10 hours to perform an about turn on the future of Mandelson. On Tuesday night the man from the Beeb said Mandelson would survive, but by the time Today listeners were awaking to the world his assessment had changed considerably.

...a night, can be, a long time in politics.