The British Culture Secretary, Mr Chris Smith, last night took over as Millennium Dome supremo from Mr Peter Mandelson - but only on a temporary basis. Mr Smith is also chairman of the Millennium Commission, which distributes National Lottery money to the £758 million dome, which means he cannot take on the dome job permanently. A new head is expected to be announced soon.
Mr Mandelson's role as Millennium Dome supremo was as the holder of the government's single share in the New Millennium Experience Company, which organises the dome in Greenwich, south London.
He was a high-profile supporter of the Dome, with his position sometimes being criticised by political opponents. They alleged his dome work conflicted with his duties as Trade and Industry Secretary.
His drive to champion the huge engineering project on the banks of the Thames in part stemmed from his long-held desire to emulate his grandfather, Mr Herbert Morrison, the Labour Cabinet Minister who masterminded the 1951 Festival of Britain celebrations, including the construction of the South Bank arts complex.
The NMEC chief executive, Ms Jenny Page, said yesterday: "Peter Mandelson has made a major contribution to the preparations for Britain's millennium celebrations during his 18 months as NMEC shareholder. He has devoted a great deal of time and effort to the dome, for which everyone here is extremely grateful."
The NMEC stressed that despite Mr Mandelson's departure, it was still very much "business as usual" for the dome. The NMEC is close to gathering in the £150 million sponsorship it needs for the dome, which will open with a glittering party on December 31st, 1999.
Due to stay open throughout 2000, the huge dome - big enough to contain two Wembley stadiums or 13 Royal Albert halls - is expected to attract at least 12 million visitors. The first TV advertisements for it are due to be screened on ITV tomorrow night as the start of a £30 million publicity campaign.