Peter Mandelson has denied reports that he is to be appointed as an EU commissioner.

Speculation has increased over recent days, as former Scottish secretary Helen Liddell has been tipped to become high commissioner to Australia.

Liddell had also been considered as a candidate for the European role, when current UK commissioner Neil Kinnock steps down in the Autumn.

A move to Australia instead would make key Blair ally Mandelson a frontrunner for the position, according to media reports.

However, speaking to the BBC Radio 4 Today programme on Tuesday, the former Northern Ireland secretary insisted he wanted to remain MP for Hartlepool.

"I haven't talked to anyone," he said. "I am very happy in British politics and very committed to representing my constituents in Hartlepool."

Asked if he was being considered for the job at the European Commission, he replied: "Not that I know of."

"I know that there is the usual speculation and tittle-tattle in the newspapers that passes for journalism in today's media, but I am very happy as I am, thank you, and I see absolutely no reason why you or anyone else should want to pack me off to Brussels," he added.

Decision

Downing Street has denied that a decision has been taken on the Brussels posting.

"We are not at the point of decision," the official spokesman said.

Both the Canberra and EU appointments have provoked controversy for Number 10 in the past.

In 1999 the prime minister overruled Tory leader William Hague's recommendation of Sir Alistair Goodlad as a commissioner to send Chris Patten to Brussels instead.

Goodlad was instead given the Australian job, making Tony Blair's ex-parliamentary pair and former Conservative chief whip the first political appointment to a diplomatic post since the 1970s.