And so it came to pass: Peter Mandelson's coup

Back on 22nd April, this blog was telling you that Mandelson was buttering up Nick Clegg for good reason.

Mandelson reckons Clegg will never agree to support a Brown-led Labour minority government. But by buttering up Clegg now, Mandelson is preparing the ground for his own post-election coup

And, whaddyaknow, yesterday Brown resigns, and suddenly a Labour - Liberal Democrat coalition minority government, with Brown out of the picture, looks the most likely outcome.

A triumph for Mandelson? Wait, there's more. Back in April, this blog went to far as to suggest that Mandelson was sweet-talking Clegg so that he (Mandelson) would be able to seize power as soon as Brown was dispatched.

Fanciful?

Here's what Guido's got to say this morning:

With David Miliband as Labour leader Mandelson could rule by proxy as regent. 

You heard it here first...