Commissioner Mandelson Resigns To Join UK Govt.

Mandelson rejoins UK Govt, Baroness Aston successor
This is a media release from the European Commission for immediate distribution

Commissioner Mandelson resigns to join UK government, Baroness Ashton of Upholland nominated to succeed him

The member of the Commission responsible for trade, Peter Mandelson, has today submitted his resignation to the Commission President, José Manuel Barroso. Mr Mandelson resigns to accept the invitation by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom to join the government.

Following consultations with President Barroso, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom has nominated Baroness Ashton of Upholland as successor to Mr Mandelson. President Barroso has subsequently written to the President of the Council and to the President of the European Parliament, transmitting the resignation of Mr Mandelson as a member of the European Commission, and his agreement with the nomination of Baroness Ashton of Upholland as a member of the Commission.

Mr Mandelson's resignation will be effective as soon as Baroness Ashton of Upholland has been appointed by the Council pursuant to Article 215 of the Treaty establishing the European Community. Until his resignation becomes effective, Mr Mandelson continues to exercise his mandate as member of the European Commission, in the full respect of the treaties.

Catherine Margaret Ashton, Baroness Ashton of Upholland, PC, an economist by training, was until now a Labour member of the UK House of Lords, Leader of the House of Lords and Lord President of the Council. She was previously Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Education and Skills, Parliamentary Under-Secretary in the Department for Constitutional Affairs, and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Justice, where her responsibilities included the trade implications of legal professions.

On 28 June 2007, she was promoted to the Cabinet as Leader of the House of Lords and Lord President of the Council. In 2008, she was responsible for the successful passage of the Lisbon Treaty in the House of Lords.

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