British Business Secretary Peter Mandelson was set to undergo the operation Monday on his first day as British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's point man on the economy, but he was still expected to attend the first meeting of the National Economic Council, The Times of London reported.

A spokesman for the Business Department told the newspaper: "Over the past few days, Peter Mandelson has been experiencing some kidney pain. Hospital tests yesterday confirmed that there is a small stone. This will be dealt with by the normal procedures later (Monday)," after the meeting.

Brown appointed Mandelson, a former political rival, as part of a Cabinet reshuffle last week. He completed his moves Sunday with a shake-up of government ministers outside the Cabinet, among which was the appointment of former Conservative Party member Quentin Davies. He was named a junior minister at the Ministry of Defense.