Former Northern Ireland Secretary Mr Peter Mandelson has ruled out a return to a place in the British government but said his political career is not yet over.
He told the BBC this morning: "The New Labour torch will never go out, nor are the lights going out on my political career, but I'm not going back to Government even if I'm asked".
There has been speculation that a path might be cleared for Mr Mandelson to return to front-line politics after the Prime Minister Mr Tony Blair agreed to reopen the inquiry into the Hinduja passport affair.
The affair forced Mr Mandelson to resign from the cabinet for a second time in January last year.
He said he expected the new inquiry to be completed within the next two weeks. "My name was cleared last year, and I expect that will be reinforced in the review".
PA