Keir Starmer & Tony Blair lead tributes to ‘true giant’ & ‘compassionate heart’ after John Prescott dies aged 86
Read the Labour heavyweights' tributes in full
KEIR Starmer and Tony Blair have led tributes to the “true giant” John Prescott after the former Deputy Prime Minister died aged 86.
Prescott passed away peacefully in a care home yesterday after a battle with Alzheimer’s.
He served as Deputy PM from 1997 to 2007 as a member of the Labour Party.
Starmer called Prescott a “true giant” in a heartfelt tribute this morning.
While former Prime Minister Tony Blair paid tribute to “one of the most talented people I ever encountered in politics”.
He told the Today programme: “Underneath what could be a fierce exterior, and a manner some undoubtedly found intimidating, beat a loving, kind and compassionate human heart.
“John was as good a friend as you could ever hope to have, with a deep sensitivity, even vulnerability.”
Prescott was a key New Labour power broker who often managed the tense relationship between Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.
BBC star Nick Robinson and Commons speaker Lindsay Hoyle are among those who have also paid tribute to Prescott this morning.
Blair described Prescott’s key power broker role in the New Labour government – as well as his colourful human side.
Speaking on the Today programme, he said: “They always thought of us as the yin and the yang.
“I had a lot of really fun times with him. He could be a very amusing guy.
“In the 2001 election someone smashed an egg on his head and he punched the guy.
“This caused a huge issue and we had to give a press conference.
“Some said he was the deputy prime minister. Others said he had the egg slammed on his head, so fair enough.
“We had a long debate about it and finally when asked about it I said John is John.
“That’s as much as you can say. There were no rules he abided by. I feel a huge sense of loss.
“It wasn’t just a political relationship – I had profound affection for him.”
Blair added: “He was proud of his working class roots but didn’t want people to stay as they are.
“He was aligned with the aspirations of people who are working class to become better off and use their potential better.
Blair revealed he’d shared video calls with Prescott up until his last months.
He said:”Even though he was failing and very ill, he was still as lively and punchy as ever.
“He had this extraordinary instinctive sense that something was afoot.
“He’d often come in unannounced and say I know you’re up to something.
“He’d always be right, I would be up to something. If we had a difficult issue we’d talk about it.
“Once we came to a decision he came behind it. He was a vital part of keeping the whole show together.
“That was down in a large part to him and his commitment.
Blair told how Prescott often acted the part of mediator between him and Gordon Brown during their time in office together.
The former PM said: “He got on with both me and Gordon Brown because he believed it was in the interest of the Labour Party.
“He recognised Brown’s great ability. He looked at himself as a bridge and was one.
“I’ve never met anyone quite like John. I’m happy to celebrate his life and his achievements.”
PM Keir Starmer said: “I am deeply saddened to hear of the death of John Prescott.
“John was a true giant of the Labour movement. He was a staunch defender of working people and a proud trade unionist.
“During a decade as Deputy Prime Minister, he was one of the key architects of a Labour Government that transformed the lives of millions of people across the nation.
“So much of John’s work set the path for those of us fortunate enough to follow.
“From leading climate negotiations to fighting regional inequality, his legacy will live on well beyond his lifetime.
“Across the Labour Party and the union movement he will be remembered for his conviction, courage, and strength of character.
“His passion, force of personality and pride in his working-class roots was key to his authenticity – an honesty that was recognised and respected across the political divide and across the nation.
“On behalf of the Labour Party, I send my condolences to Pauline and all his family, to the city of Hull which he served as MP for forty years, and to all those who knew and loved him.
“May he rest in peace.”
Former Home Secretary Alan Johnson said Prescott was “very intelligent and dedicated”.
He added: “A lot of his work was hard slog. John’s achievements went largely under the radar.”
BBC star Nick Robinson said: “Sad to think we’ll never see or hear John Prescott again.
“He fought for what he believed in, never forgot who he was in politics to serve and always put a smile on the face of those he was talking to.
“After he punched a man on the campaign trail Tony Blair said ‘John will be John’.
“I pompously suggested he sounded like the mother of a thug outside a magistrates court but the public agreed with Blair.”
Robinson added: “They thought Prescott was what most politicians are not – human.
“Prescott once stumbled in an interview with me getting confused about what he was trying to say.
“‘Oh I made that crap’, he said: ‘Can we go again?’ My reply: ‘We are, in fact, live Deputy Prime Minister’.
“At the end of the interview we both laughed so much it hurt. John Prescott was Tony Blair’s shield, salesman & conscience.
“He was the Northern, working class, party loyalist who allowed the public school educated son of an aspiring Conservative MP to re-make his party.
“Prescott was the Labour in New Labour.”
Channel 4 anchor Krishnan Guru-Murthy said: “There aren’t many people for whom ‘political giant’ feels right.
“But John Prescott fits the bill. He was hugely important to the success of New Labour.
“He gave one of the great memorable Labour conference performances on Clause 4.
“His media appearances were sometimes hilarious, sometimes car crash, never boring.
“And alongside the rough, tough, sometimes grumpy demeanour was political passion, caring and humour.
“He was the first politician I interviewed in 1988 when he was a guest on the BBC2 show Open to Question while running for Deputy Leader the first time around.
“It was my first day in the job. He stayed after the recording for quite some time.
“He talked to the teenagers in the audience about politics and answered the questions we hadn’t had time for.
“And he wrote to me afterwards to say nobody had told him it was my first day on the job as an 18-year-old presenter and had he realised that he’d have never been so well behaved, but well done.
“It’s a sad day that he’s gone.”
Veteran lobby hack Quentin Letts said: “He was, for sketch writers, our Everest, our yeti, vast-pawed and irresistibly abominable.
“Passing me in the cloisters one day he dropped a shoulder and I thought he was going to whack me. It was just a joke. I think.”
House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said: “I am saddened to hear about the death of former Deputy Prime Minister Lord John Prescott.
“A towering figure in the Labour movement and a campaigner for workers.
“He was a fearless, loyal, active unionist and a dedicated parliamentarian for 40 years, who I admired.
“My thoughts and prayers are with Pauline and his family.”
Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said: “I am deeply saddened by the news of John Prescott passing away.
“My thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family.
“John Prescott will be remembered as a towering figure in British politics.
“His unwavering tenacity on the causes he championed should be a lesson to us all.
“His influence on our modern society will still be felt for years to come and his legacy remembered far into the future.”
Prescott had been living in a care home following a stroke in 2019 and passed away “peacefully” surrounded by family.
In a statement announcing his death, Lord Prescott’s wife and two sons said: “We are deeply saddened to inform you that our beloved husband, father and grandfather, John Prescott, passed away peacefully yesterday at the age of 86.”
The family added: “John spent his life trying to improve the lives of others, fighting for social justice and protecting the environment.
“He did so from his time as a waiter on the cruise liners to becoming Britain’s longest serving deputy prime minister.
“John dearly loved his home of Hull and representing its people in Parliament for 40 years was his greatest honour.”
Prescott was first elected MP for Kingston upon Hull East in 1970 – holding the seat for almost 40 years
He first joined the shadow cabinet in 1983 with the transport brief, before quickly rising through Labour ranks.
As Deputy PM Prescott played a big role negotiating the 1997 Kyoto climate change agreement.
And he was widely seen as a working-class tribune who ensured Labour’s union backers went along with Blair’s centrist reforms.
But he remains most famous for punching a protester who threw an egg at him during a rally in 2001.
The politician later joked about the incident quipping: “There was only one punch.
“Tony Blair rang me and he said ‘Are you OK?’ and I said ‘Yes’, and he said ‘Well, what happened?’.
“I said ‘I was just carrying out your orders. You told us to connect with the electorate, so I did’.”
And he was nicknamed “two Jags” after it emerged he both owned a Jaguar while had the run of a second ministerial car.
In 2015, he was banned from speeding after being caught doing 60mph in a 50mph zone in one of his beloved Jags.
After spending his MP career criticising the Lords as an “offence to democracy”, he shrugged off hypocrisy claims when appointed – saying he accepted a peerage because his wife Pauline wanted him to.
After his time as Deputy PM Prescott took a short break from politics – before coming back to advise Tony Blair.
Prescott left the Lords this July after a stroke in 2019 stopped him attending or voting.
He was born in the Welsh seaside town of Prestatyn and first worked as a steward in the Merchant Navy.
Prescott then studied at Ruskin College in Oxford, before entering politics.
Hull East MP Karl Turner said: “I am deeply saddened by the news of the passing of my friend John Prescott, former Deputy Prime Minister, at the age of 86.
“John was a lifelong member of the Labour Party and committed socialist. John had an unwavering dedication to the people of Hull.
“Having known John for all of my life, I know first hand the impact that he had on many thousands of people across the city and the country.
“John began his political career as a trade union activist and full-time union official alongside my late father Ken within the National Union of Seamen, later becoming the RMT Union.
“He served as Member of Parliament for Kingston upon Hull East for 40 years.
“John’s contributions to politics were numerous, including his instrumental role in negotiating the landmark Kyoto Protocol on climate change.
“More locally John helped to secure funding and support for infrastructure projects such as the Hull tidal barrier.
“I extend my heartfelt condolences to his wife Pauline, sons Johnathan and David and his grandchildren who he cherished.
“John’s legacy will forever be etched in the hearts of those he served and the city he loved.
“Rest in peace, comrade! Your contribution to public life will never be forgotten.”
Dementia UK’s Dr Hilda Hayo said:”We’re sorry to hear that Lord John Prescott has died having lived with Alzheimer’s disease.
“We send our condolences to his family and hope they are receiving the support they need at this difficult time.
“We urge families affected by dementia to reach out to our specialist Helpline.
“Staffed by dementia specialist Admiral Nurses, our Helpline offers support and guidance on all stages of dementia, including grieving for a loved one.
“Anyone affected by dementia can contact the Helpline by calling 0800 888 6678 or emailing.”
Fiery John Prescott was proud to be a blunt-speaking Northerner – he was last authentic voice of Britain’s working class
By Trevor Kavanagh
Kavanagh
JOHN Prescott, a former Cunard Line waiter who rose to be deputy Prime Minister under Tony Blair, was the last authentic voice of the working classes to serve in high office.
The MP for Hull, known as The Mouth of The Humber, spoke for the trade unions in a New Labour government which finally broke their stranglehold over economic and industrial policy.
As deputy leader of the Labour Party, he also refereed the infamous
“TeeBee-GeeBees” flare-ups between Blair and Chancellor Gordon Brown during their battle for the Labour crown.
Burly “Prezza”, a prize-winning boxer, was a bruiser both inside and outside Parliament.
In the 2001 election campaign, he was hit in the face by an egg thrown by a protestor.
Prescott, a man with a hair-trigger temper, landed a powerful left jab before police intervened.
“There was only one punch,” he explained afterwards. “Tony Blair rang and asked what happened.
“I said: ‘You told us to connect with the electorate, so I did’.”
Lord Prescott, who has died aged 86, was proud of his working-class roots and as a blunt-speaking Northerner.
But he was born in Prestatyn and regarded himself as a Welshman.
In later life he admitted carrying a chip on his shoulder after his brother Ray was rewarded with a new bike for passing his 11-plus to a grammar school.
John failed and got nothing.
What he saw as a gross injustice fuelled a lifelong resentment towards elitism – even within his own party – and an insecurity which drove him close to the top of the political greasy pole.
He was deeply hurt that in 10 years as deputy PM, he and his glamorous wife, Pauline – an Elizabeth Taylor lookalike – were never invited to dinner at Chequers, the PM’s official home.
Prescott blamed Blair’s “snobbish” wife, Cherie.
“We never got close to the Blairs,” he said. “It just didn’t happen. We were not their set. Certainly we were not her set.”
The former ship’s steward was mocked by toffee-nosed Tories such as
Nicholas Soames who greeted him in the Commons, crying: “Mine’s a gin-and-tonic, Giovanni.”
And he was teased for mangling the English language, once complaining “the sceptre of unemployment stalking the north-east”.
As Environment supremo, he boasted: “The Green Belt is a Labour
achievement – and we mean to build on it.”
But the son of a railway signaller was no fool.
He studied economics and politics at Ruskin College, Oxford, and scored a BSc degree at Hull University.
He enjoyed his success, living in a turreted mock-Tudor mansion and playing croquet on the lawns of his official home, Dorneywood.
An avowed socialist, he earned his “Two Jags” nickname by driving an XJ6 Jaguar and using a chauffeur-driven XJ8 for government business.
“My roots, my background, the way I act is working class, but it would by hypocritical to say I’m anything other than middle class now,” he admitted.
John Prescott’s remarkable political career crumbled dramatically in 2006 when his two-year love affair with bubbly secretary Tracey Temple was exposed after her jealous lover read her diary.
Tracey, who sold her story to a Sunday newspaper for £250,000, described “groping and kissing” in the Deputy PM’s office and his opulent grace-and-favour Admiralty office flat.
“We were very lucky we were never caught – as we never shut the door,” noted Tracey, played by Maxine Peake in “Confessions of a Diary Secretary”.
“When I went into his office for diary meetings, if I was wearing a skirt he would slide his hand up my leg, under it.
“He used to stroke my back. And, yes, I did give him sex in the office a
couple of times.
“I knew what we were doing was risky but we both got carried away.
“Seven civil servants worked right outside his office. Of course there were moments when I thought, I shouldn’t be doing this.
“I also thought how surprised and shocked people would be if this ever got out.”
Prezza resigned as deputy Labour leader telling the 2006 party conference: “I know I let myself down. I let you down.
“So conference, I apologise.”
Nine years later he returned to front-line politics as unpaid adviser to Ed Miliband on climate change.
Prescott suffered a stroke while campaigning for Mr Corbyn at the 2019 election and retired from politics.
