John Prescott, former deputy prime minister, dies aged 86

Former deputy prime minister John Prescott has died aged 86 following a battle with Alzheimer’s, his family has announced.

The former trade union activist and ex-merchant seaman died “peacefully” and surrounded by relatives at his care home, his family said, adding that he had “spent his life trying to improve the lives of others, fighting for social justice and protecting the environment.”

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.

He was ennobled in 2010 and introduced to the upper chamber as Baron Prescott of Kingston upon Hull having served for four decades as an MP for the city.

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.”

Sir Tony Blair said he was “devastated” by the death of his former deputy, saying: “I relied on him many times: when in difficulty, under attack; and less well known when I needed someone whose gut instinct I trusted better than my own.

“To say we were partners would never capture the nature of our relationship. There was nothing formal about it. We met and talked regularly. Rules of protocol were cast aside. Debates were had which could be fierce. But once concluded, the common line was kept.

“The truth is for all the difficulties and the differences and the jokes about us both and our ‘odd couple relationship’, we had developed a genuine admiration, respect and affection for each other.

“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.

“He will deservedly occupy a special place in the pantheon of the Labour leadership; he will be mourned by his many friends and fans around the world and for me personally, today is a day of profound sadness but also immense pride in having known him and worked with him: a great man and great servant of country and party.”

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was “deeply saddened” to hear of Lord Prescott’s death.

He described him as “a true giant of the Labour movement”, one of the “key architects” of the last Labour government, “a staunch defender of working people and a proud trade unionist”.

“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,” Starmer added.

Lord Prescott ceased to be a member of the upper House in July this year after facing health difficulties.

He had only spoken once in the chamber since suffering a stroke in 2019, official records show, and had not voted since February 2023.

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.

But during much of his time in office, he acted as a mediator in the often turbulent relationship between Sir Tony and chancellor Gordon Brown.

He also oversaw the environment, transport and the regions, a brief which included helping to negotiate the international Kyoto Protocol on climate change.

Lord Prescott was a loyal supporter of Sir Tony in office but was 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.

In a private letter in 2007, Sir Tony said his former deputy’s role “smoothing out problems, sorting out colleagues and trouble-shooting” 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.”

Political figure who became indispensable to Blair

Born in Prestatyn in Wales on May 31 1938 the son of a railwayman, John Prescott left school at the age of 15 to work as a trainee chef and then as a steward on the Cunard Line.

As well as becoming an accomplished amateur boxer, he was also becoming active in the Labour Party and the National Union of Seamen.

He was one of the “tight-knit group of politically motivated men” denounced by prime minister Harold Wilson for organising a seamen’s strike in 1966.

Despite incurring the Labour leader’s displeasure, he nevertheless secured the party’s nomination for the safe seat of Hull East, which he won in the 1970 general election.

In 1994, Lord Prescott ran for both leader and deputy leader.

While easily beaten by Sir Tony for the top job, he secured the position of deputy.

Notoriously short-tempered, as deputy prime minister he famously brawled with a protester who struck him with an egg while out campaigning during the 2001 general election.

He had a stormy relationship with the press who dubbed him “two Jags”, and who mocked his at times jumbled syntax in statements and interviews.

He nevertheless emerged as a key mediator in the turbulent relationship between Sir Tony and chancellor Gordon Brown, which dominated the politics of the time.

But after leaving office along with Sir Tony in 2007, he became increasingly critical of the New Labour legacy, denouncing Britain’s involvement in the Iraq War and backing Jeremy Corbyn.

Following the 2010 general election he was introduced to the Lords as Baron Prescott of Kingston upon Hull.

In 2012, he made an unsuccessful bid to become the first elected police and crime commissioner for Humberside, while in 2015 there was a brief spell as adviser to Labour leader Ed Miliband.

Away from Westminster, he published his memoirs, in which he revealed he had suffered from the eating disorder bulimia nervosa, brought on, he believed by stress of life at the top of politics.

He ceased to be a member of the House of Lords in July after suffering from ill health.

Official records show he had only spoken once in the chamber since suffering a stroke in 2019 and had not voted since February 2023. He died following a battle with Alzheimer’s.

Lord Prescott is survived by a widow and two sons.