Peter Mandelson

Mandarins are used to sudden changes of direction when the government changes. But even so, it must have been disconcerting for officials at the business department to see their former boss, Lord Mandelson, walk through the glass doors of their offices today to try and pick holes in policies they are currently defending.

Lord Mandelson and Pat McFadden, the current shadow business secretary, walked into the department to review the documents behind their decision to lend £80m to Sheffield Forgemasters, a decision the coalition has now controversially rescinded. Read more

Not everyone at Unite is endorsing Ed Miliband. Jerry Hicks, maverick candidate for the union leadership – the battle takes place this autumn – says he can’t possibly endorse a former New Labour minister.

Instead, in the absence of John McDonnell on the candidate list, he tells me he’s backing Diane Abbott, for her leftwing views and anti-war stance; albeit with reservations. It’s worth taking Hicks seriously given that he came second in a challenge to Derek Simpson (for the leadership of the Amicus wing of Unite) last year, with 25 per cent of the votes. Read more