Former Labour spin doctor Peter Mandelson has been officially installed as Chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University .

The former Labour minister and communications chief took on the honorary position at ceremony at Manchester Town Hall on Monday (June 13).

The 62-year-old politician , instrumental in ‘creating ‘New Labour’ and the party’s 1997 landslide victory, was presented with an honorary Doctor of Letters in front of 300 university staff, dignitaries and students.

The former European Trade Commissioner was installed as Chancellor by Vice-Chancellor Professor Malcolm Press and Pro-Chancellor Vanda Murray OBE.

Lord Peter Mandelson being officially installed as chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University

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His surprise appointment comes just months after he lost out on the same job at The University of Manchester to poet Lemn Sissay.

Speaking of his pride at joining the university, the new Chancellor said: “What struck me about everyone at Manchester Metropolitan is the excitement and ambition. The students, the staff, the plans for the future. It is going to be so exciting to be involved and I think it’s going to be tremendous fun.”

Lord Mandelson is currently one of the leading political figures campaigning for Britain to stay in the European Union.

He said: “The University sector is one of this country’s greatest assets. European Union partnerships and funding benefit our knowledge economy and we must do all that we can to maintain that world leading position.”

Lord Peter Mandelson at Manchester Metropolitan University

Succeeding former Chancellor Dame Dianne Thompson DBE, Lord Mandelson will take on the role for a five-year term.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Malcom Press said Lord Mandelson’s appointment is an important moment for the university.

He said: “As we have got to know each other I have been consistently impressed by Peter’s ability to see the bigger picture. To help me grasp the important elements in projects where we are working together. To understand the importance of a clear message and coherent strategy and then to move swiftly towards an elegant solution.

“It is these qualities that Prime Ministers and Presidents recognise and so deeply admire in Peter. He is a global statesman, held in high regard, in the highest places across the world.”

Lord Mandelson, dubbed the ‘Prince of Darkness’ for his masterful art in politics, became a life peer in the House of Lords in 2008.