Former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott dies aged 86
He served as the Hull East MP for 40 years
Last updated 19 hours ago
Former deputy prime minister John Prescott has died aged 86 following a battle with Alzheimer's, his family has announced.
His family said he had "spent his life trying to improve the lives of others, fighting for social justice and protecting the environment".
The former trade union activist and ex-merchant seaman died "peacefully" and surrounded by relatives at his care home, they said.
Lord Prescott was a key figure of Sir Tony Blair's New Labour project, seen by many as custodian of the party's traditional values in the face of a modernising leadership.
Paying tribute to Lord Prescott, former prime minister Sir Tony Blair said: "Although we all knew that the end was approaching and was inevitable, I am devastated by John's passing. He was one of the most talented people I ever encountered in politics; one of the most committed and loyal; and definitely the most unusual.
In a statement released after his death, his wife Pauline and sons Johnathan and David said that representing the people of Hull had been "his greatest honour".
"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.
"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."
Lord Prescott ceased to be a member of the upper House in July this year after facing health difficulties.
Over a parliamentary career spanning more than half a century, Lord 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.
The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer has also shared condolences with Lord Prescott's family, calling him a "giant of the Labour movement".
Karl Turner took on Lord Prescott's Hull East constituency in 2010, who has remembered him as a "committed socialist" with an "unwavering dedication to the people of Hull".