Radio 4 spurns Blair and Mandelson memoirs

Radio 4 has snubbed both Tony Blair and Peter Mandelson, opting not to feature their memoirs in the coveted Book of the Week slot. Despite widespread speculation that the network would be abridging both Mandelson's recently published book, The Third Man, and Blair's A Journey, which is due to be published in the autumn, a spokesman confirmed that it would not be featuring either. Instead the station has decided to feature the latest diaries of the former Sunderland South MP Chris Mullin, which will be abridged towards the end of August. A spokesman said: "We do not have any current plans to broadcast publications by either Peter Mandelson or Tony Blair as books of the week on Radio 4. We can confirm that we plan to broadcast Chris Mullin's Decline and Fall: Diaries 2005-2010 towards the end of August." Mullin's first diary, A View From the Foothills, charted his life as a junior minister under Blair. The new diaries, which will be published in early September, run from his sacking by Blair as a minister after the 2005 elections to election day 2010 as he prepares to step down after 23 years as an MP. During the parliamentary expenses scandal it was revealed that Mullin was one of the lowest claimers. It was also revealed that the television at his second home is an old black-and-white model with a £45 TV licence. • To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email [email protected] or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. • If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".