Hague swipes at Mandelson in battle to take Oxford role

Former Tory leader says Labour peer cannot be UK envoy in the US and serve as the chancellor of Britain's top university

- GEORDIE GREIG

William Hague has criticised Peter Mandelson's bid to become the UK's new envoy in America as well as taking over the top job in the British university sector.

The former Conservative leader spoke out as tensions flared in the battle between the two men to become chancellor of the University of Oxford. Lord Hague said the two roles would be “incompatible” as he dismissed a jibe by the former Labour cabinet member Lord Mandelson that it was time to end the “Tory monopoly” of Oxford.

In a wide-ranging interview with Independent TV, Lord Hague also called for action in the wake of concerns about so-called “cancel culture”, saying that students cannot expect the real world to be full of “echo chambers of like-minded people”.

Speaking ahead of next week’s announcement of who will be the new Oxford chancellor, Lord Hague:

• warned of the consequences of banning speakers with controversial views

• stood by his claim that Donald Trump represents a “dark cult” and said Margaret Thatcher would have no time for the incoming US president

• warned Tories not to copy Mr Trump by embracing Nigel Farage

The contest to be awarded the coveted Oxford role has come down to a fight between the two old political warhorses. Lord Mandelson masterminded Sir Tony Blair’s three election victories, including in the 2001 election, which forced Lord Hague to resign as Tory leader.