London, Dec 21 (IANS) British Business Minister Peter Mandelson - the number two in the country’s cabinet - plans to run for the job of London mayor in 2012 if Labour loses the next general elections, a former mayor was quoted saying Monday.
Ken Livingstone, former London mayor who has publicly announced his desire to wrest back the high-profile job from Conservative mayor Boris Johnson, told The Guardian he had been warned that Mandelson could be his main Labour challenger.

Livingstone said “a senior Blairite” and former minister gave him a “friendly tip-off” three weeks ago about a formidable possible Labour challenger.

An aide to Mandelson insisted there was “nothing” to the rumours, but Livingstone said: “He (the former minister) gave me a warning that I should take the Mandelson thing seriously… It was not an attempt to turn me off, it was just a warning that he would go for it.”

Mandelson, who is secretary for business, skills and innovation, was brought back to the cabinet last year after completing his term as the European Union’s trade commissioner.

He has since been the subject of speculation for a number of key jobs, including that of British foreign minister and the European Union’s commissioner responsible for foreign affairs.

He surprised observers by declaring last week that in 15 or 20 years’ time he would like to live on a farm “close to the land”.