Despite recent press reportsthat the frostiness between Gordon Brown and Peter Mandelson is melting,it appearedfromtherather awkward shuffle and carefully chosen words of the prime minister’s official spokesmanon Monday that the Brown-Mandelson relationship remains a way off being cosy.

Asked whether Brown believed Mandelson was doing a good job as European Union trade commissioner, the prime minister’s spokesman told reporters: “The prime minister has no difficulty with the job that Peter Mandelson has done.”

Asked to clarify this less than glowing reference,the spokesmansaid:”He thinks, er,I think the prime minister would be quite comfortable for me to say that Peter Mandelson is doing a good job.”

Nit-picking, you may say. But thespokesman is frequently asked about the prime minister’s opinions of his ministers or Labour Party colleagues and generally offers unequivocal support. For example, he said Tony Blair would be a “great candidate” for a big international job such as president of the European Council.The phrase”no difficulty” in reference to Mandelson certainly raised eyebrows among the assembled journalists.

The spokesman appeared far from comfortableabout the prospect of characterising his boss’ opinion of the man who infuriated Brown by backing Tony Blair in the 1994 contest to replace John Smith as Labour leader after his sudden death. Relations between Brown and Mandelsonhave been frosty ever since.

The spokesman added it was “early days” tobe talking about a second term for Mandelson but said the two had held a “constructive” meetingin Brussels recently and that they spoke regularly. Mandelson told Reuters on Monday he might rethink an earlier decision to leave the commission next year when his term ends.