THE people of Hartlepool do not want former Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Mandelson to stand for re-election as their MP in the General Election, according to a survey.

The national newspaper survey claimed that 51 per cent of those people questioned said Mr Mandelson should not represent them after his resignation as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland last month.

Almost half of the survey sample who said that they voted for Mr Mandelson last time wanted him to stand down.

However, 36 per cent of those questioned said they still supported him.

Mr Mandelson has represented Hartlepool since 1992. He had a majority of 17,500 at the last election.

The survey coincided with reports that Mr Mandelson had been told he could retain his security staff for as long as he wishes.

Security chiefs had advised the Northern Ireland Office that Mr Mandelson would only need protection for a further six months, but unconfirmed reports suggested he will be allowed to keep his bomb-proof car and bodyguards longer if he wishes.

The cost of providing security for the minister has been estimated at more than £1m a year.

It is the norm for security for former Northern Ireland secretaries to be scaled down six months after they leave the job.

Concern was expressed for the previous Northern Ireland Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, when she was left without security protection after she left office.