Key events
When Labour won the election in 2007 with Blair as PM, Prescott, in addition to being made deputy PM, was put in charge of a new “super ministry” covering the environment, transport and the regions.
In that role he was credited with a number of successes, including helping to negotiate the international Kyoto Protocol on climate change and creating regional development councils as well as reforms to the transport system.
East Hull MP Karl Turner has released a statement on Prescott’s death. Turner has known Prescott all of his life, he said, and knows “first-hand the impact that he had on many thousands of people across the city and the country.”
Prescott played an instrumental role in negotiating the Kyoto protocol on climate change, Turner recalls.
Times radio breakfast host Stig Abel described Prescott on X as, “One of the most colourful, memorable politicians of our lifetimes. A man everyone can conjure in their minds immediately, and you can’t say that about many politicians any more.”
Born in Prestatyn in Wales on 31 May 1938 the son of a railwayman, Prescott left school at the age of 15 to work as a trainee chef and then as a steward on the Cunard Line before entering politics.
In a private letter in 2007, Blair said his former deputy’s role “smoothing out problems, sorting out colleagues and troubleshooting” had been an “integral part of getting things done”.
The former prime minister said: “The completely unique Prescott blend of charm and brutality – made always more effective by the unpredictability of which would be predominant – got you through the decade, kept the government together and above all, gave me a lot of fun. I was lucky to have you as my deputy.”
Prescott served as deputy PM for 10 years
Over a parliamentary career spanning more than half a century, Prescott served for 10 years as deputy prime minister after Labour’s 1997 general election landslide.
At times short-tempered, he once famously punched a protester who threw an egg at him during an election campaign visit to north Wales in 2001.
But during much of his time in office, he acted as a mediator in the often turbulent relationship between Tony Blair and his chancellor, Gordon Brown.
He also oversaw the environment, transport and the regions, a brief that included helping to negotiate the international Kyoto protocol on climate change.
Prescott was a loyal supporter of Blair in office but subsequently critical of parts of New Labour’s legacy, denouncing Britain’s involvement in the Iraq war.
He also strongly defended Jeremy Corbyn during his time as party leader in the face of fierce criticism.
Prescott served in parliament for 40 years
In their statement, Prescott’s family said that representing Hull for 40 years in parliament was the former deputy PM’s “greatest honour”.
The statement reads, in part:
John spent his life trying to improve the lives of others, fighting for social justice and protecting the environment, doing 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. We would like to thank the amazing NHS doctors and nurses who cared for him after his stroke in 2019 and the dedicated staff at the care home where he passed away after latterly living with Alzheimer’s.
In lieu of flowers and if you wish to do so, you can donate to Alzheimer’s Research UK.
As you can imagine, our family needs to process our grief so we respectfully request time and space to mourn in private. Thank you.”
Opening summary
The former British deputy prime minister John Prescott has died aged 86, his family announced on Thursday morning.
His family said he had “spent his life trying to improve the lives of others, fighting for social justice and protecting the environment”.
“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,” they said.
“He did so surrounded by the love of his family and the jazz music of Marian Montgomery.
Prescott served in Parliament for 40 years, eventually becoming deputy prime minister under Tony Blair.
After leaving office along with Blair in 2007, he became increasingly critical of the New Labour legacy, denouncing Britain’s involvement in the Iraq War.
More shortly.
