An insight into the art of government

A PORTRAIT of one of England's greatest monarchs has been chosen by Lord Mandelson to appear in an exhibition of government art.

The Labour peer was one of seven people, including the Prime Minister's wife, chosen to select work for the first ever public exhibition of the Government art collection. The paintings, including the portrait in oils of Queen Elizabeth I by an anonymous artist, will go on show at the Whitechapel Gallery in east London next June.

Mrs Cameron chose a work by LS Lowry called Lancashire Fair: Good Friday, Daisy Nook, while former cabinet minister Lord Boateng chose Peas are the New Beans by Bob and Roberta Smith.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Culture Minister Ed Vaizey also chose work for the exhibition.