NEIL Hamilton, the disgraced former Tory minister brought down by the "cash for questions" scandal, has said he may stand against Peter Mandelson in the battle for Hartlepool.

Mr Hamilton joins an army of would-be candidates for the seat in the next General Election.

Also competing for the Teesside constituency is Miners' Union president Arthur Scargill, with financial support from TV's Royle Family star Ricky Tomlinson.

Mr Hamilton, who lost his ministerial post under John Major, then his Tatton seat to "anti sleaze" candidate and former BBC war correspondent Martin Bell, in 1997, said it was time Labour sleaze was put in the spotlight.

"I'm thinking of buying a white suit," he said, referring to Mr Bell's trademark outfit.

Mr Hamilton said: "There would be a certain irony in me coming forward to point up the failings of this administration, as exemplified by one or two individuals, in the same way as they did to me in the last election."

Mr Scargill enters the race, amid accusations that Mr Mandelson has "sold out" his Labour Party principals.

Inviting the people of Hartlepool to act as the MP's jury, he warned: "This will be my third major fight with Peter - and this time it's personal."

In the blue corner, Conservative candidate Gus Robinson is pitching for the home crowd vote, while Liberal Democrat candidate Nigel Boddy has also thrown his hat into the ring.

Last night, Russell Hart, head of the Hartlepool Labour camp, threw down the gauntlet to all comers, declaring: "bring them on."

He said: "I don't think Peter Mandelson has serious cause to worry."

Yesterday, Mr Mandelson received heavyweight Labour Party support.

Lord Sawyer of Darlington, the party's general secretary from 1994 to1998, said Mr Mandelson's political talent was ''too big to squander''.

''Give him any portfolio, give him any case to make, and Peter, if he gets behind it, will make it in a manner which is hard to equal in the Parliamentary Labour Party now," he added.