Did Mandelson use the 'chump' word?
Updated on 30 September 2009
The Sun's decision to switch allegiance to the Tories prompted allegations that Peter Mandelson had used the "c" word in conversation with Rebekah Brooks (formerly Wade).
Today's announcement by Britain's biggest-selling daily newspaper that it was dropping its support for the Labour party gave rise to rumours of a frank exchange between the business secretary and the former Sun editor.
So Channel 4 News political correspondent Cathy Newman, in Brighton for the Labour party conference, put the allegation to him -
"Did you use a four-letter word in conversation with Rebekah Wade last night?"
"What was the four-letter word?" he replied.
"Well, I can't say it on television - but you said it in a phone call."
"I'm sorry. I don't know what you mean."
The exchange continues along these lines for several more seconds.