Mr Mandelson, widely regarded as Gordon Brown's deputy prime minister, has been accused of going behind the Mr Brown's back by showing interest in the role, which eventually went to Labour peer Baroness Ashton.
But the business secretary insisted his 'commitment to the government' stopped him from pursuing the post.
Speaking on the Today programme yesterday, he said: 'In other circumstances I would, of course, have liked to do that job.
'It combines my interests with Europe and foreign affairs. But the point is that I am a member of this government and I am committed to its success and its re-election, and that is why I am remaining a member of it.'
Had he successfully attained the job, Mr Mandelson would have followed in his grandfather Herbert Morrison's footsteps, who briefly ran the foreign office in the 1940s, in working in foreign affairs.
The former EU trade commissioner also denied he was 'blocked' in his pursuit by French president Nicholas Sarkozy after allegations he made a series of calls to the president without the prime minister's knowledge.
'I made it clear that I am committed to remaining a member of the government. That remains the case and I'm working very hard for it,' he said.
But the business secretary insisted his 'commitment to the government' stopped him from pursuing the post.
Speaking on the Today programme yesterday, he said: 'In other circumstances I would, of course, have liked to do that job.
'It combines my interests with Europe and foreign affairs. But the point is that I am a member of this government and I am committed to its success and its re-election, and that is why I am remaining a member of it.'
Had he successfully attained the job, Mr Mandelson would have followed in his grandfather Herbert Morrison's footsteps, who briefly ran the foreign office in the 1940s, in working in foreign affairs.
The former EU trade commissioner also denied he was 'blocked' in his pursuit by French president Nicholas Sarkozy after allegations he made a series of calls to the president without the prime minister's knowledge.
'I made it clear that I am committed to remaining a member of the government. That remains the case and I'm working very hard for it,' he said.
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