Clarke warns Mandelson has left Royal Mail to "slide into decline"

Ken Clarke has attacked Lord Mandelson’s decision not to go ahead with the planned part-privatisation of Royal Mail.

The Shadow Business Secretary said the Government was “in a state of paralysed indecision on every difficult issue” following Lord Mandelson's announcement of the U-turn.

Ken attacked Lord Mandelson’s handling of the issue, stressing:

“Peter Mandelson said recently that the Government was committed to the policy of part-privatisation and that the Royal Mail was in a crisis.”

“He has frequently said that the status quo is not an option. He is now leaving the Royal Mail to slide into more rapid decline.”

Ken added, “The first reason given for delay was lack of Parliamentary time, which is plainly nonsense. It is now said that market conditions are difficult for a sale. The real reason for delay is that Peter Mandelson cannot persuade his colleagues to back the flagship Bill of his Department.”