Hull pays tribute to Lord Prescott

The funeral service of the former Deputy Prime Minister, and long serving Hull East MP, Lord John Prescott is set to take place at the Hull Minster today (30/01).

Lord Prescott represented the city as the MP for Hull East for 40 years following his election in 1970.

Sir Keir Starmer has praised John Prescott for his "tenacity and vision" as well as his "fighting spirit" ahead of the todays service.

More than 300 family members, friends and colleagues have been invited to the service at Hull Minster.

Senior figures from the past and current Labour governments are expected to attend.

Lord Prescott, who served as deputy prime minister under Sir Tony Blair between 1997 and 2007, died on November 20 last year aged 86 in a nursing home where he had been living with Alzheimer's.

Hosted by the Rev Canon Dominic Black, the service will include singing from the Choral-Hull children's choir, made up from pupils across the city.

The city's MP's are expected to turn out for the service, many have fond memories of John including MP Karl Turner who recalls Prescott's playful spirit, diving skills, and generous gestures to help those in need.

Karl, said:

"I'm privileged actually to have known John and my family for over 50 years. I was grown up with them as kids and we spent a lot of time together from my childhood going on holiday to Lochness in Scotland and John had hired a boat, he was Captain John. He decided to throw his wrist watch in to the lock and dive in. John went in and came back with a big beaming smile. He'd retrieved it, showing off his diving skills. But those are the types of things I'll be remembering."

People in Karl's constituency of Hull East have been calling by with their own memories of John, he added:

"One chap came in to say that he was made redundant, he was worried about his family and that Friday evening a taxi turned up with load of bags of groceries. John had obviously decided to send the family some food. John was always there. He was helpful, he was supportive, he was encouraging, he was enthusiastic."

The Prescott family said in a statement:

“We wish to thank everyone for their love and support on the passing of our husband, father and grandfather.

“To hear so many wonderful tributes from people who knew John has been a great source of comfort to us as we dealt with our grief. We hope the service will be an opportunity to celebrate his life and his love of Hull and its people.”

In lieu of flowers, the Prescott family has requested that donations be made to Alzheimer’s Research UK.

To support the event, several roads in Hull city centre will be closed to traffic from 8.30am on Thursday 30 January and will reopen by 4pm.

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