Peter Mandelson

Probably the only Cabinet Minister to be ‘sacked’ twice and still be given a cushy European job for his efforts.

In 1998 it was revealed that Mandelson had bought a home in Notting Hill in 1996 (i.e. prior to Labour winning the 1997 election) with the assistance of an interest-free loan of £373,000 from Geoffrey Robinson. Robinson was also a Labour MP in the Government the new government, but was subject to an inquiry into his business dealings by Mandelson's department. Mandelson failed to declare his interest in the affair and this led to Mandelson's first "resignation" (i.e. sacking).

Ten months later, he was brought back to government as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and in 2001 forced to resign again after it was revealed that he had been lobbying a Home Office minister for passports for a couple of Indian businessmen who were being approached to be the main sponsors of on of the Millennium Dome zones. At the time, the two brothers were being investigated in India for their (alleged) participation in a scandal that had taken place in Indian politics during the 1980s -- specifically, one that was about government corruption and politicians being given kick-backs in return for their "correct" decisions.

Nowadays Mandelson is British Commissioner of the European Union for Trade and has a great seat on the gravy train.