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MANCHESTER University pelted Peter Mandelson with guacamole yesterday, sensationally denying the Blairite has-been its top job.
The peer, who famously failed to recognise a portion of mushy peas in a Hartlepool chippy, lost an election for the honorary chancellorship of the uni to poet Lemn Sissay.
And in an added humiliation “the Dark Lord” was beaten into last place by conductor Sir Mark Elder.
The vote saw 7,131 of the staff and alumni electorate opt for Mr Sissay, compared to 5,483 for Sir Mark and 5,269 for Lord Mandelson.
Mr Sissay has published a number of collections and seen his plays staged at the West Yorkshire Playhouse and on BBC radio.
He said: “Reach for the top of the tree and you may get to the first branch, but reach for the stars and you’ll get to the top of the tree.
“I am proud to be chancellor of this fantastic university.”
