Mandelson says Q4 GDP likely to be revised higher

LONDON (Reuters) - Business Secretary Peter Mandelson said on Tuesday fourth quarter economic growth figures would probably be revised higher, after initial data came in much weaker than expected.

In an interview to be broadcast on Channel 4 News, Mandelson said Britain was emerging from recession stronger than had been predicted although the recovery was fragile and government support measures needed to be sustained.

"When you see the final full figure for the fourth quarter, they will be revised upwards," he said, according to quotes provided by Channel 4.

Britain's economy grew 0.1 percent in the final three months of 2009, according to an initial estimate from the Office for National Statistics, ending an 18-month recession but disappointing analysts who had expected growth of 0.4 percent.

The ONS's second estimate of fourth quarter gross domestic product growth is due on February 26.

(Reporting by Matt Falloon; editing by Patrick Graham)