Politics latest: Sir Tony Blair pays tribute to ‘extraordinary’ John Prescott after his death at 86

Former Labor Party deputy prime minister John Prescott has died at the age of 86 after battling Alzheimer’s disease, his family announced.

The former political giant was MP for Kingston upon Hull East for 40 years and was a key part of Sir Tony Blair’s New Labor Party.

His family stated that he “spent his life trying to improve the lives of others, fighting for social justice and environmental protection.”

Lord Prescott, a former trade unionist and former merchant seaman, died peacefully in his nursing home surrounded by relatives.

In a statement released after his death, his wife Pauline and sons Johnathan and David said it was his “greatest honor” to represent the people of Hull.

They said: “It is with deep sadness that we announce that our beloved husband, father and grandfather, John Prescott, passed away peacefully yesterday at the age of 86.

“He did it surrounded by the love of his family and the jazz music of Marian Montgomery.

“John spent his life trying to improve the lives of others, fighting for social justice and environmental protection, doing so from his time as a waiter on cruise ships to becoming Britain’s longest-serving Deputy Prime Minister.

“John loved his home in Hull and it was his greatest honor to represent its people in Parliament for 40 years.

“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 died after recently suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

“In lieu of flowers, if you wish, you can make a donation to Alzheimer’s Research UK.

“As you can imagine, our family needs to work through our grief, so we respectfully ask for the time and space to grieve privately.

“Thank you.

“Pauline, Johnathan and David Prescott.”

Who was John Prescott?

Lord Prescott was deputy leader under Sir Tony and was seen by many as a key link between the party’s traditional values and the working class in the face of modernizing pressures.

He was ennobled in 2010, but in July he ceased to be a member of the upper house due to health problems.

He has spoken in the chamber only once since suffering a stroke in 2019, and has not voted since February 2023.

Lord Prescott became famous for punching a protester who threw an egg at him during a campaign visit to North Wales in 2001.

For much of his term, Lord Prescott acted as mediator between Sir Tony and the then Chancellor, Gordon Brown.

He also served as Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions and helped negotiate the international treaty on climate change, the Kyoto Protocol.

A loyal supporter of the incumbent Sir Tony, he later became critical of some of the legacy left by New Labour.

This included condemning Britain’s involvement in the Iraq War.

He also defended Jeremy Corbyn when he was party leader, in the face of heavy criticism.