Mandelson in charge - from abroad !

Lord Mandelson is among ministers filling in for Gordon Brown

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson has taken over the day-to-day running of Britain, although he is still abroad.

While Gordon Brown is on his month-long break different ministers are filling in for him as stand-in PM.

It was deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman's turn this week, but her office said on Friday she was now on leave.

Downing Street said Lord Mandelson was the minister in charge of day-to-day affairs and was "contactable". He has been on holiday in Corfu this week.

A Downing Street spokeswoman added: "The prime minister is in charge if any urgent issues arise".

It was revealed earlier this week that Mr Brown is spending part of his holiday doing voluntary work in his Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath constituency.

Ms Harman's stint in charge saw her hit the headlines for suggesting there should always be a woman in one of Labour's top two jobs and that men "cannot be left to run things on their own".

On Thursday she denied her comments had been about positioning herself as a future Labour leader and played down differences between her and Lord Mandelson - amid reports of divisions over parental leave rights and flexible working.

BBC NEWS REPORT.