Harris, the author of the bestsellers Fatherland and Pompeii, has conceded that the Business Secretary is "in some ways similar" to the Roman, who died in 43 BC.

Both were considered to be among the sharpest minds of their generation. Both could also be seen as outsiders who took on the ruling elite of the day, before being banished on foreign exile.

Cicero's multi-faceted career as a lawyer, philosopher and statesman could also be said to have been imitated recently by Lord Mandelson.