PEACE promoters in Warrington reacted with sadness at the departure of former Northern Ireland Secretary Mo Mowlam this week - but say they are looking forward to building a new relationship with her successor, Peter Mandelson.

Dr Mowlam has left the post to be replaced by Mr Mandelson as part of the Cabinet reshuffle.

The popular politician has developed a close relationship with Colin and Wendy Parry, whose son, Tim, died in the IRA bomb blast that devastated the town in 1993. She had promised to return to Warrington next March to witness the opening of the Peace Centre.

A spokesman for the Northern Ireland Office was this week unable to confirm whether Dr Mowlam or Mr Mandelson would be attending the launch.

He said: "24 hours into the job, it's impossible to say what Mr Mandelson's plans are. Doubtless he will be eager to continue Dr Mowlam's support."

Clr Mike Hannon, Chairman of the Warrington-Ireland Reconciliation Enterprise, said: "Given the fondness we all have for Mo Mowlam, who has taken a particular interest in Warrington, we're bound to meet the news of the new appointment with a little bit of sadness. That is no discredit to Mr Mandelson, but I would have liked to have seen Mo Mowlam remain to complete the exercise. She's done a tremendous job."

He added: "Maybe there was a school of thought that, because of her differences with the Unionists, there was never going to be an amicable relationship around the table because one party had lost confidence in Mo.

"But we hope she will join us as a trustee of the Peace Centre and that she can still be present at the opening. I will be writing to both of them, wishing Mo well in her new job and thanking her for all she's done."

Mr Mandelson's surprise appointment comes 10 months after he was forced to quit as Trade Secretary amid revelations that he bought his Notting Hill home with a secret £373,000 loan from the then Paymaster General, Geoffrey Robinson.

His speedy re-appointment to the Cabinet has met with protest from Opposition leaders and critics.

Dr Mowlam will now replace Jack Cunningham as Cabinet enforcer, charged with co-ordinating the activities of government departments.

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