Prime Minister Tony Blair will today publish the eagerly-awaited Hammond Inquiry report into the Hinduja passport affair, which led to the resignation of Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson.

Sir Anthony Hammond was charged by Mr Blair with investigating the circumstances surrounding the granting of an application for naturalisation of wealthy Indian businessman Srichand Hinduja.

Mr Mandelson, MP for Hartlepool, quit in January after accepting he should have made it clear that two years ago he personally telephoned immigration minister Mike O'Brien about Mr Hinduja, rather than saying only his office had been involved.

The report was received by No 10 yesterday morning, while Mr Blair was in Northern Ireland for Ulster peace talks.

A spokesman for the Prime Minister said the report would be published at 9.30am today.

The inquiry was ordered by Mr Blair after it was disclosed, thanks to parliamentary questions from Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker, that both Mr Mandelson and Europe Minister Keith Vaz had contacted the Home Office about Mr Hinduja's application for naturalisation.

Mr Mandelson has strenuously denied acting in any way improperly.