Former Northern Ireland secretary Peter Mandelson has ruled out a return to frontline politics.

Speaking to the BBC, he said that he would not accept a third job in the cabinet even if Tony Blair offered one to him

His comments come as Sir Anthony Hammond continues a second inquiry into his involvement in the Hinduja passport affair, allegations which led to his resignation from the Northern Ireland Office.

The incident was the second in Mandelson's career, following his resignation as trade and industry secretary after revelations about a loan he failed to declare from former paymaster general Geoffrey Robinson.

"The new Labour torch will never go out, nor are the lights going out on my political career, but I'm not going back to government even if I'm asked," he said.

"I'm not going to go back into the front line because that would mean going back into the firing line and that would not be sensible."