Mandy helps Brown at the despatch box

It seems Gordon Brown's improved performances against the Tory leader David Cameron at Prime Minister's Questions in recent weeks are all down to his new Business Seceretary, Lord (Peter) Mandelson (pictured with the PM). According to the Daily Mail, Mandelson is giving Brown "one-to-one tutorials" at Downing Street to prepare him for his weekly encounters in the House of Commons.

The paper claims that the pair hide themselves away in Brown's office and rehearse "six different killer answers" hours before the weekly gladiatorial encounters,held at 12pm on Wednesdays, with Mandelson playing the role of Cameron.

A Westminster source told the Daily Mail: "On Wednesdays, Mandelson is chauffeured to No 10, where he advises the PM on tactics, strategy and suitable jokes for his half-hour ordeal at the Despatch Box. His approach is clinical and forensic."

Mandy is said to even imitate Cameron's fruity, Old Etonian voice. Adds the source: "Peter plays the aggressive interrogator demanding answers. He manages to get himself into the skin of Cameron with some aplomb."