Big-wigs ham it up over absent Peppa

The absence of the pink cartoon character – loved by children around the world – from Labour's launch of its mini-manifesto for families prompted a day of good-natured exchanges after Lord Mandelson said he was "Obviously, intensely pig sick" that Peppa would not be appearing, accusing the BBC of "stirring up trouble" with Channel Five, which broadcasts the series.

Not so, said the BBC, a spokesman adding: "This is hogwash. It is certainly not the case that the BBC contacted Channel 5 corporately over this."

Schools Secretary Ed Balls said: "Peppa did tell me that not only is she a supporter of universal Sure Start but would be quite worried if George Pig (her younger brother) lost his child trust fund."

A spokesman for Gordon Brown weighed in, saying: "The Prime Minister and his family are big fans of Peppa Pig and he understands that she has a very busy schedule and so couldn't make it."

Five denied any involvement in Peppa's withdrawal. A spokesman said: "Five passed this information to the Peppa Pig rights holder, E1 Entertainment, who decided it was inappropriate for Peppa to attend. Anyone who has suggested a different course of events is simply telling porkies."

E1 Entertainment said it had agreed the character should not attend the event to avoid any "controversy or misunderstanding".

The British cartoon series, which follows the pig, her family and friends, is broadcast in about 180 countries.