British Prime Minister Tony Blair today nominated Peter Mandelson as Britain's next European Commissioner.
Downing Street said Mr Blair spoke to Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso earlier today to pass on the nomination and received a positive response.
Mr Mandelson is expected to take up his post on 1 November, once the College of Commissioners has been approved by the European Parliament.
His appointment will trigger a by-election in his Hartlepool constituency, where Labour has a majority of more than 14,000.
The development is being seen as a controversial comeback for the politician who helped mastermind the British Labour Party's 1997 landslide.
It also ends days of speculation and rumour at Westminster about the political future of Mr Mandelson, who twice resigned from cabinet.
Mr Mandelson had wanted to return to the cabinet but it is thought that senior ministers have persuaded the Prime Minister not to bring him back.
He first resigned the trade and industry ministerial portfolio in 1998 over a home loan controversy but was subsequently appointed Northern Secretary the following year.
He resigned again after being accused of helping an Indian billionaire and Labour Party donor to get a British passport.
Mr Mandelson has remained a close friend of the Prime Minister but is nevertheless unpopular with many senior figures in the Blair administration.
