John Prescott death latest: Starmer and Blair pay tribute to Labour ‘giant’ and ‘most unusual’ politician

A highlight of the lacklustre 2001 general election campaign was the “Prescott punch”. John Prescott, Labour’s Deputy Prime Minister was incensed by a protester who hit him with an egg. He lashed out at the egg-thrower and the police had to separate the two men. The incident was caught on camera and dominated the news. A mortified Prescott thought that he would have to resign. Tony Blair played the matter down, stating: “John is John”.

Prescott was the keeper of the cloth cap in Tony Blair’s Labour government, perhaps the last overtly working class Labour politician to hold high ministerial office. With his prolier than thou attitude and forceful statement of traditional Labour values, he could touch the hearts of trade union and Labour activists more than any other party figure.

At the 1993 Party Conference the leader, John Smith, was advocating one member one vote in elections for parliamentary candidates and the party leader. The result was in doubt and Smith’s authority, if not his leadership, was on the line. Prescott, in a passionate, meandering even incoherent speech, roused the enthusiasm of the audience and helped to win the vote.

Foreign secretary David Lammy has described John Prescott as “committed, loyal, Labour to his core”.

In a post on X, he said: “John Prescott was one of the giants of our party. Committed, loyal, Labour to his core.

“A relentless champion of working people who never forgot who he came into politics to fight for. Full of good humour and blunt common sense. Rest in peace,” he added.

The Labour veteran, who was a pivotal figure in Sir Tony Blair’s New Labour project, died peacefully in a care home surrounded by family.

During a parliamentary career spanning 50 years, Lord Prescott served as deputy prime minister for a decade following the party’s landslide victory in 1997.

While he was known for his fiery temperament, he played a crucial role in mediating the often fractious relationship between Sir Tony and then chancellor Gordon Brown.

Former prime minister Gordon Brown has paid tribute to John Prescott, describing him as a “working class hero”.

He said on the BBC’s Today programme: “He was a colossus and and titan of the Labour movement. When you hear the term working class hero, John fitted that description.”

Listing his “great achievements”, Brown noted his work on the Kyoto Agreement, devolution and the repair and improvement of housing.

He went on: “At all times he was a unifying force. As deputy leader he realised the passion for unity in the Labour Party. He was important in holding the party together particularly over Iraq.

“Despite his image as a tough person who was uncompromising, John really wanted people to work together.”

He noted: “John always talked about enduring values in Labour politics, so his values never changed.”

John Prescott was occasionally known to have a short temper – and famously punched a protestor who threw an egg at him.

On 16 May 2001, during what was perceived by many to be a lacklustre Labour election campaign, Lord Prescott snatched the headlines.

After around 30 protestors picketed a campaign event in Rhyl, north Wales, to demonstrate against low agricultural wages and Labour’s support for the fox hunting ban.

As Lord Prescott passed the crowd, local farm worker Craig Evans threw an egg at point blank range, hitting him in the face. Lord Prescott responded, with what he described himself as “an instinctive boxer’s jab with the left fist”.

Lord Prescott afterwards said: “When I spoke to Tony I explained that it wasn’t my fault, I hadn’t started it, but he said I shouldn’t have done it, even if I had been provoked. After all, I was the deputy prime minister.

“‘I might be’, I said, ‘but I am also an ordinary bloke, and an ordinary bloke would react as I did’.”

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has paid tribute to “towering figure” John Prescott.

He said in a statement this morning: “I am deeply saddened by the news of John Prescott passing away and my thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family.

“John Prescott will be remembered as a towering figure in British politics and his unwavering tenacity on the causes he championed should be a lesson to us all.

“His influence on our modern society will still be felt for years to come and his legacy remembered far into the future.”

Prime minister Keir Starmer has paid tribute to a “true giant” of the Labour party, Lord John Prescott.

Sir Keir said he is “deeply saddened” to hear of Lord Prescott’s death.

“John was a true giant of the Labour movement. He was a staunch defender of working people and a proud trade unionist,” he said, describing him as one of the “key architects” of the New Labour government.

“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.”

Lord John Prescott’s family have said that representing the people of Hull was his “greatest Honour”.

A statement released by his wife Pauline and sons, Jonathan and David, read: “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.”