Monday's government challenge to Mr Mandelson's fightback was led by Home Secretary Jack Straw, who is understood to have called Mr Blair on the eve of the former Northern Ireland secretary's resignation to point out inconsistencies in his colleague's statements - helping to seal his fate.

BBC: Mandelson inquiry 'over in weeks'

Britain's home secretary, Jack Straw, points out that during 1996 and 1997, phone taps by police and customs led to 1, 200 arrests, and the seizure of nearly three tonnes of Class A drugs, such as heroin and cocaine.

ECONOMIST: Anxiety about wiretapping