THE vultures are gathering over the perceived corpse of Peter Mandelson. And we are talking not just politics here.

Under the heading, Has Mandelson Gone Mad, The Sunday Telegraph devoted a full page, signalled by a front page story, to picking over the bones of the fallen minister. Asserting that "many now fear for his state of mind'', the piece highlighted a claim by clinical psychologist Oliver James, who interviewed Mr Mandelson on a TV programme four years ago, that Tony Blair's close friend and former chief aide was probably now "a high suicide risk''.

Evidence for this included a tear Mr Mandelson wiped away during that TV interview when questioned about his father. According to The Sunday Telegraph, this was "the first suggestion that under Mr Mandelson's ruthless exterior lay a troubled, insecure character.''

Well, like most people, I've never warmed to Mr Mandelson. He has never struck me as someone with a burning mission to improve the lot of the underprivilged ranks of society, perhaps well represented in his Hartlepool constituency. But his TV tear, which was unknown to me until now, has raised him considerably in my estimation.

There are not a few of us who, given the right kind of prompting, could shed a public tear at the memory of one or other of our parents, possibly both. The macho culture that dictates that a man shall not weep, certainly not in public, is much to be deplored. At 63, I'm also inclined to believe that behind most exteriors, ruthless or otherwise, lies a "troubled and insecure'' character. Most of us are not waving, but drowning. Perhaps the only exceptions are those of deep religious faith, whose eyes shine, presumably with the certainty of God's salvation, not shared by most of the rest of us.

I drift from Mr Mandelson. There's plenty of proper criticism that can be levelled at him. His disappearance on holiday to the US when the axe was poised over hundreds of his steelworker constituents bolsters the view that his heart isn't in Hartlepool or anywhere like it.

But, it might well be true that he resigned too hastily on the basis of faulty recollection. Which of us, conscious of our own incompetence, has not shouldered the blame for something only to find out we were not at fault? Peter Mandelson must be given a fair hearing, and if it turns out he did nothing wrong, he will have every right to demand his Cabinet job back.

Tangled with a General Election, this might be very embarrassing for Tony Blair. But there are things more important than the embarrassment of a PM. And few rank higher than fair play and justice.

It is to be fervently hoped that Mr Mandelson is not "a high suicide risk''. But, as his tear showed, he is flesh and blood. We must not be too swift to condemn, or ever bent on a crucifixion.

THOUGH I admire the achievement of yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur in becoming the fastest woman and youngest person to sail round the world, I don't share the general rapture at her feat.

The people I admire most are those who face daunting circumstances in daily life, week in week out, year upon year. Poor parents, especially single parents, struggling to bring up kids. People caring for terminally-ill relatives. The long-term jobless, struggling to maintain hope.

Their fortitude and stamina must endure for longer than any single-handed yacht race, mountain climb, or polar trek. For them, no crowds cheer, no champagne is opened and no honours are given. But these, the millions for whom getting from Monday morning to Sunday night each and every week presents a challenge bigger than Everest, are, and always have been, the true heroes of society.

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