John Prescott dead: Former Deputy Prime Minister dies aged 86 after battle with Alzheimer’s as his wife pays tribute

FORMER Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has died aged 86 following a battle with Alzheimer’s.

He had been living in a care home following a stroke in 2019 and passed away “peacefully” surrounded by family.

John Prescott served as Deputy PM from 1997 to 2007 as a member of the Labour PartyCredit: North News and Pictures , Newcastle NE1 5JE

Prescott with his wife PaulineCredit: PA

Prescott with his boss Tony BlairCredit: PA

Prescott remains most famous for punching a protester who threw an egg at himCredit: Rex

In a statement announcing his death, Lord Prescott’s wife and two sons said: “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.”

The family added: “John spent his life trying to improve the lives of others, fighting for social justice and protecting the environment.

“He did 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.

Fiery John Prescott was proud to be a blunt-speaking Northerner – he was last authentic voice of Britain’s working class

By Trevor Kavanagh

JOHN Prescott, a former Cunard Line waiter who rose to be deputy Prime Minister under Tony Blair, was the last authentic voice of the working classes to serve in high office.

The MP for Hull, known as The Mouth of The Humber, spoke for the trade unions in a New Labour government which finally broke their stranglehold over economic and industrial policy.

As deputy leader of the Labour Party, he also refereed the infamous“TeeBee-GeeBees” flare-ups between Blair and Chancellor Gordon Brown during their battle for the Labour crown.

Burly “Prezza”, a prize-winning boxer, was a bruiser both inside and outside Parliament.

In the 2001 election campaign, he was hit in the face by an egg thrown by a protestor.

Prescott, a man with a hair-trigger temper, landed a powerful left jab before police intervened.

“There was only one punch,” he explained afterwards. “Tony Blair rang and asked what happened.

“I said: ‘You told us to connect with the electorate, so I did’.”

Lord Prescott, who has died aged 86, was proud of his working-class roots and as a blunt-speaking Northerner.

But he was born in Prestatyn and regarded himself as a Welshman.

In later life he admitted carrying a chip on his shoulder after his brother Ray was rewarded with a new bike for passing his 11-plus to a grammar school.

John failed and got nothing.

What he saw as a gross injustice fuelled a lifelong resentment towards elitism – even within his own party – and an insecurity which drove him close to the top of the political greasy pole.

He was deeply hurt that in 10 years as deputy PM, he and his glamorous wife, Pauline – an Elizabeth Taylor lookalike – were never invited to dinner at Chequers, the PM’s official home.

Prescott blamed Blair’s “snobbish” wife, Cherie.

“We never got close to the Blairs,” he said. “It just didn’t happen. We were not their set. Certainly we were not her set.”

The former ship’s steward was mocked by toffee-nosed Tories such asNicholas Soames who greeted him in the Commons, crying: “Mine’s a gin-and-tonic, Giovanni.”

And he was teased for mangling the English language, once complaining “the sceptre of unemployment stalking the north-east”.

As Environment supremo, he boasted: “The Green Belt is a Labourachievement – and we mean to build on it.”

But the son of a railway signaller was no fool.

He studied economics and politics at Ruskin College, Oxford, and scored a BSc degree at Hull University.

He enjoyed his success, living in a turreted mock-Tudor mansion and playing croquet on the lawns of his official home, Dorneywood.

An avowed socialist, he earned his “Two Jags” nickname by driving an XJ6 Jaguar and using a chauffeur-driven XJ8 for government business.

“My roots, my background, the way I act is working class, but it would by hypocritical to say I’m anything other than middle class now,” he admitted.

John Prescott’s remarkable political career crumbled dramatically in 2006 when his two-year love affair with bubbly secretary Tracey Temple was exposed after her jealous lover read her diary.

Tracey, who sold her story to a Sunday newspaper for £250,000, described “groping and kissing” in the Deputy PM’s office and his opulent grace-and-favour Admiralty office flat.

“We were very lucky we were never caught – as we never shut the door,” noted Tracey, played by Maxine Peake in “Confessions of a Diary Secretary”.

“When I went into his office for diary meetings, if I was wearing a skirt he would slide his hand up my leg, under it.

“He used to stroke my back. And, yes, I did give him sex in the office acouple of times.

“I knew what we were doing was risky but we both got carried away.

“Seven civil servants worked right outside his office. Of course there were moments when I thought, I shouldn’t be doing this.

“I also thought how surprised and shocked people would be if this ever got out.”

Prezza resigned as deputy Labour leader telling the 2006 party conference: “I know I let myself down. I let you down.

“So conference, I apologise.”

Nine years later he returned to front-line politics as unpaid adviser to Ed Miliband on climate change.

Prescott suffered a stroke while campaigning for Mr Corbyn at the 2019 election and retired from politics.

“In lieu of flowers and if you wish to do so, you can donate to Alzheimer’s Research UK.”

Prescott died peacefully yesterday “surrounded by family and the jazz music of Marian Montgomery”, the family added.

He served as Deputy PM from 1997 to 2007 as a member of the Labour Party.

Prescott was a key New Labour power broker who often managed the tense relationship between Tony Blair and Gordon Brown.

Paying tribute, Blair said: “I am devastated by John’s passing. He was one of the most talented people I ever encountered in politics.”

PM Keir Starmer said: “I am deeply saddened to hear of the death of John Prescott.

“John was a true giant of the Labour movement. He was a staunch defender of working people and a proud trade unionist.

“During a decade as Deputy Prime Minister, he was one of the key architects of a Labour Government that transformed the lives of millions of people across the nation.

“So much of John’s work set the path for those of us fortunate enough to follow.

“From leading climate negotiations to fighting regional inequality, his legacy will live on well beyond his lifetime.

“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.

“On behalf of the Labour Party, I send my condolences to Pauline and all his family, to the city of Hull which he served as MP for forty years, and to all those who knew and loved him.

“May he rest in peace.”

JOHN PRESCOTT: FROM YOUTH BOXER TO LABOUR POWERHOUSE

By Jack Elsom, Chief Political Correspondent

WHEN people think of John Prescott, many will immediately recall that immortal moment in 2001 when he punched a protester in the face.

During a fraught campaign visit, a farmer had smashed an egg over his head, prompting the then-Deputy PM to catch him with a neat left jab.

When Tony Blair was asked about the scuffle later that day, he replied simply: “John is John.”

The PM was not referring to Prescott’s impressive youth boxing career, but rather his reputation as a political bruiser.

During his 40 years as a Labour MP, Prescott was a blunt instrument who was frank and direct in his manner.

He did not have the eloquence many of his political sparring partners possessed – but he was fierce in his attacks on Tory foes.

It was his connection with the working class movement that made him valuable to Blair and Gordon Brown – his backing was crucial to getting sceptics on board with New Labour’s modernisation project.

And he served as the bridge between Blair and Brown when their relationship soured in government.

He cut his teeth in the union movement working as a steward aboard cruise ships, before becoming a full time union official.

From 1970-2010, he was the MP for Kingston, including the 10 years he spent as Deputy PM between 1997-2007.

As Blair’s technical No2, he was in charge of the country when the PM holidayed in the summer.

It brought added scrutiny, especially when he was once pictures in his grace-and-favour home of Dorneywood playing croquet.

Prescott was never far from the news, particularly when it emerged that he had the use of two Jaguars – leading to his memorable nickname “Two Jags”.

His private life also became public following his two-year affair with his diary secretary, though he stayed with his loving wife Pauline until the end.

He famously said it was for Pauline that he accepted a life peerage, despite having previously campaigned to abolish the House of Lords.

But for all the circus that seemed to follow him, Blair still credits Prescott with “keeping the show on the road” during his term.

He quite possibly owes the former ship steward with serving him up 10 years in Downing Street.

Prescott was first elected MP for Kingston upon Hull East in 1970 – holding the seat for almost 40 years.

He first joined the shadow cabinet in 1983 with the transport brief, before quickly rising through Labour ranks.

As Deputy PM Prescott played a big role negotiating the 1997 Kyoto climate change agreement.

And he was widely seen as a working-class tribune who ensured Labour’s union backers went along with Blair’s centrist reforms.

But he remains most famous for punching a protester who threw an egg at him during a rally in 2001.

The politician later joked about the incident quipping: “There was only one punch.

“Tony Blair rang me and he said ‘Are you OK?’ and I said ‘Yes’, and he said ‘Well, what happened?’.

“I said ‘I was just carrying out your orders. You told us to connect with the electorate, so I did’.”

And he was nicknamed “two Jags” after it emerged he had two official Jaguars.

In 2015, he was banned from speeding after being caught doing 60mph in a 50mph zone in one of his beloved Jags.

After spending his MP career criticising the Lords as an “offence to democracy”, he shrugged off hypocrisy claims when appointed – saying he accepted a peerage because his wife Pauline wanted him to.

After his time as Deputy PM Prescott took a short break from politics – before coming back to advise Tony Blair.

Prescott left the Lords this July after a stroke in 2019 stopped him attending or voting.

He was born in the Welsh seaside town of Prestatyn and first worked as a steward in the Merchant Navy.

Prescott then studied at Ruskin College in Oxford, before entering politics.

Hull East MP Karl Turner said: “I am deeply saddened by the news of the passing of my friend John Prescott, former Deputy Prime Minister, at the age of 86.

Is it ageing or dementia?

Dementia – the most common form of which is Alzheimer’s – comes on slowly over time.

As the disease progresses, symptoms can become more severe.

But at the beginning, the symptoms can be subtle or mistaken for normal memory issues related to ageing.

The US National Institute on Aging gives some examples of what is considered normal forgetfulness in old age, and dementia disease.

You can refer to these above.

For example, it is normal for an ageing person to forget which word to use from time-to-time, but difficulting having conversation would be more indicative of dementia.

Katie Puckering, Head of Alzheimer’s Research UK’s Information Services team, previously told The Sun: “We quite commonly as humans put our car keys somewhere out of the ordinary and it takes longer for us to find them.

“As you get older, it takes longer for you to recall, or you really have to think; What was I doing? Where was I? What distracted me? Was it that I had to let the dog out? And then you find the keys by the back door.

“That process of retrieving the information is just a bit slower in people as they age.

“In dementia, someone may not be able to recall that information and what they did when they came into the house.

“What may also happen is they might put it somewhere it really doesn’t belong. For example, rather than putting the milk back in the fridge, they put the kettle in the fridge.”

“John was a lifelong member of the Labour Party and committed socialist. John had an unwavering dedication to the people of Hull.

“Having known John for all of my life, I know first hand the impact that he had on many thousands of people across the city and the country.

“John began his political career as a trade union activist and full-time union official alongside my late father Ken within the National Union of Seamen, later becoming the RMT Union.

“He served as Member of Parliament for Kingston upon Hull East for 40 years.

“John’s contributions to politics were numerous, including his instrumental role in negotiating the landmark Kyoto Protocol on climate change.

“More locally John helped to secure funding and support for infrastructure projects such as the Hull tidal barrier.

“I extend my heartfelt condolences to his wife Pauline, sons Johnathan and David and his grandchildren who he cherished.

“John’s legacy will forever be etched in the hearts of those he served and the city he loved.

“Rest in peace, comrade! Your contribution to public life will never be forgotten.”

Dementia UK’s Dr Hilda Hayo said:”We’re sorry to hear that Lord John Prescott has died having lived with Alzheimer’s disease.

“We send our condolences to his family and hope they are receiving the support they need at this difficult time.

“We urge families affected by dementia to reach out to our specialist Helpline.

“Staffed by dementia specialist Admiral Nurses, our Helpline offers support and guidance on all stages of dementia, including grieving for a loved one.

“Anyone affected by dementia can contact the Helpline by calling 0800 888 6678 or emailing.”