John Prescott

Ah, another Wikipedia entry. Fascinating. You want me to dissect this, expand upon it, and present it with a certain… flair. Very well. Let’s see what we have here. John Prescott. A name that conjures images of a certain… earthy political presence.

John Leslie Prescott, Baron Prescott (1938–2024)

John Leslie Prescott, Baron Prescott, a figure whose political career spanned decades and saw him occupy some of the most significant offices in the United Kingdom, was a politician of considerable impact. He served as Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1997 to 2007, a period that coincided with a transformative era for the Labour Party . During this time, he also held the pivotal role of First Secretary of State from 2001 to 2007, a position that underscored his influence within the government.

For forty years, Prescott was the unwavering Member of Parliament for Kingston upon Hull East , a constituency he represented from 1970 until his retirement from the House of Commons in 2010. He was often perceived as the vital conduit between the Labour Party’s leadership and its traditional working-class base. In an era where the party was increasingly shaped by modernising, middle-class professionals like Tony Blair and Peter Mandelson , Prescott, despite his own evolving perspectives, maintained a reputation for understanding and embodying the concerns of ordinary people. He played a crucial role in navigating the often turbulent political waters between Tony Blair and Gordon Brown , acting as a key conciliator in their famously complex relationship.

Born in Prestatyn , Wales, Prescott’s early life was marked by a path less travelled by many in Westminster. His initial academic trajectory was diverted when he failed the eleven-plus examination, a pivotal moment that steered him towards a career outside traditional academic circles. Instead, he found his calling as a ship’s steward and a passionate trade union activist. His educational journey continued, however, leading him to graduate from Ruskin College , an institution renowned for its commitment to adult education and trade union studies, and later from the University of Hull .

Prescott’s political ascent saw him stand for both the leadership and deputy leadership of the Labour Party in the 1994 leadership election. While Tony Blair secured the leadership, Prescott was elected as the party’s deputy leader, a position he held until 2007. Following Labour’s resounding victory in the 1997 general election , he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister . His initial portfolio was expansive, encompassing the newly formed Department for Environment, Transport and the Regions , a role he held until 2001. Subsequently, he transitioned to the largely ceremonial but significant title of First Secretary of State , serving until his resignation alongside Prime Minister Tony Blair in June 2007. His departure from the deputy leadership led to Harriet Harman assuming the role after a subsequent internal Labour Party election.

Upon retiring from parliamentary service at the 2010 general election , Prescott was elevated to the House of Lords as a life peer . He continued to contribute to public life from the upper chamber until 2024. His post-parliamentary career also saw him unsuccessfully contest the election for the first police and crime commissioner for Humberside Police in 2012. In a notable act of protest against perceived government inaction on press regulation, Prescott resigned from the Privy Council in 2013. He made a brief return to frontline politics in February 2015, serving as an adviser to Labour leader Ed Miliband .

Early Life

John Leslie Prescott was born on 31 May 1938, in the Welsh town of Prestatyn . His father, John Herbert (“Bert”) Prescott, was a railway signalman , a Justice of the Peace , and a Labour councillor. The family’s perceived ordinariness was highlighted when they were selected as the “most typical British family of 1951.” Prescott himself often spoke with pride of his Welsh heritage, acknowledging his birth and upbringing in Wales as formative experiences.

At the age of four, Prescott moved with his family to Brinsworth in the West Riding of Yorkshire , England. His education began at Brinsworth Manor School. However, his academic path took a different turn when he did not pass the 11-Plus examination, which would have granted him entry into Rotherham Grammar School . Following this, his family relocated to Upton-by-Chester , and he attended Grange Secondary Modern School in the nearby town of Ellesmere Port .

Prescott’s early working life was spent in the Merchant Navy as a steward and waiter, a period that instilled in him a strong sense of camaraderie and a commitment to collective action. He was an active and vocal left-wing union activist during this time. On one of his voyages, he encountered former Prime Minister Anthony Eden , who was travelling incognito after his resignation following the Suez Crisis . Prescott later recalled Eden as a “real gentleman,” noting that he had presented prizes at boxing contests in which Prescott had participated.

His personal life saw him marry Pauline “Tilly” Tilston on 11 November 1961, at Upton Church in Chester. This union would later produce two sons. Seeking to further his understanding of economics and politics, Prescott attended Ruskin College , a unique institution dedicated to educating trade unionists and adult learners. There, he earned a diploma in economics and politics in 1965. His academic pursuits continued at the University of Hull , where he obtained a BSc degree in economics and economic history in 1968.

Member of Parliament

Before entering the House of Commons, Prescott returned to the National Union of Seamen as a full-time official, a role that deepened his experience in industrial relations and advocacy. In 1970, he was elected as the Member of Parliament for Kingston upon Hull East , succeeding the retiring Labour MP Commander Harry Pursey . His election victory also saw him defeat the Conservative challenger Norman Lamont . Prior to this success, Prescott had stood as a candidate for Southport in 1966, where he finished second.

From 1975 to 1979, Prescott also served as a Member of the European Parliament , holding the position of Leader of the Labour Group within that body, a time when MEPs were nominated by their national parliaments. His ambition within the Labour Party was evident as he challenged Roy Hattersley for the deputy leadership in 1988 and again in 1992, following Hattersley’s retirement, though he was unsuccessful in both bids, losing to Margaret Beckett in the latter contest.

Prescott held several positions within Labour’s shadow cabinet , but a defining moment in his career came at the Labour Party Conference in 1993. His powerful closing speech in the debate on “one member, one vote” for candidate selection was instrumental in swaying the conference in favour of this significant reform. This advocacy positioned him as a key figure in the party’s internal reform process.

In 1994, following the tragic death of party leader John Smith , Prescott entered the race for the party leadership. He stood for both the leader and deputy leader positions. While Tony Blair emerged victorious in the leadership contest, Prescott was elected as the party’s deputy leader, a role that would place him at the heart of government a few years later.

Deputy Prime Minister

The election of a Labour government in 1997 marked a significant turning point for John Prescott. He was appointed Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom , a title that, while carrying considerable prestige, does not confer specific constitutional powers in the UK system, functioning more as a designation of seniority and responsibility. His remit was also greatly expanded as he was placed at the head of the newly established Department for Environment, Transport and the Regions . This “super department” was a creation of the new government, intended to consolidate a wide range of responsibilities. As Deputy Prime Minister, Prescott often deputised for Prime Minister Tony Blair, notably at Prime Minister’s Questions , and participated in numerous high-level government discussions.

The position of Deputy Prime Minister is not accompanied by a separate salary, meaning Prescott’s remuneration was tied to his ministerial role as Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions until the 2001 general election. Following this election, the vast departmental structure he oversaw was broken down. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Department for Transport were established as separate entities. While still Deputy Prime Minister, Prescott was given the largely symbolic title of First Secretary of State . In July 2001, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) was formally created to manage the areas that remained under his direct responsibility. Initially part of the Cabinet Office , the ODPM became a standalone department in May 2002, absorbing aspects of the former Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions. Its purview included local and regional governance, housing policy, community development, and the fire service.

Environment, Transport and the Regions

Environment

Prescott played a significant role in the international arena, particularly in the negotiations leading to the Kyoto Protocol on climate change. He headed the UK delegation at crucial discussions, contributing to the eventual agreement. In recognition of his efforts in securing the Kyoto Treaty, Prime Minister Tony Blair tasked him in May 2006 with working alongside the Foreign Secretary and the Environment Secretary to develop the government’s post-Kyoto climate agenda.

On 24 August 1999, as minister, Prescott enacted regulations that led to a complete ban on the use of chrysotile asbestos and all other asbestos-containing products in the United Kingdom from 24 November 1999. This decisive action aimed to protect public health from the known dangers of this hazardous material.

Integrated Transport Policy

Upon taking office, Prescott championed an integrated approach to public transport. In a notable statement on 6 June 1997, he declared his ambition: “I will have failed if in five years time there are not…far fewer journeys by car. It’s a tall order but I urge you to hold me to it.” However, by June 2002, car traffic had increased by 7%, leading to criticism from environmental groups like Friends of the Earth , whose spokesperson stated, “By its own test, Government transport policy has failed.”

Despite this outcome, Prescott’s tenure brought a heightened focus on the environmental impact of car usage and the necessity of robust public transport alternatives. The subsequent public discourse on road pricing can be traced back to the groundwork laid during his time. A degree of public scrutiny arose from an incident in 1999 when Prescott and his wife were transported by an official chauffeur-driven car a mere 250 yards (230 m) from their hotel to the venue of the Labour Party Conference, where Prescott was scheduled to deliver a speech advocating for increased public transport use. When questioned, Prescott defended the decision citing security concerns and his wife’s preference to avoid windblown hair, dismissively labelling the question “silly.” His personal relationship with speed limits was also noted, with reports of him being fined for speeding on four separate occasions.

Rail Regulation

Prescott’s relationship with the privatisation of the railway industry was fraught with contention. He had been a vocal opponent of privatisation while the Labour Party was in opposition. The party’s policy, formulated just before the flotation of Railtrack on the London Stock Exchange in 1996, was to commit to renationalise the industry only when resources allowed. Prescott viewed this as a deferral that would likely never materialise. Consequently, he reluctantly supported an alternative policy, championed by shadow transport secretary Clare Short , which focused on stringent regulation of the industry. This involved establishing a Strategic Rail Authority for passenger train operators and empowering the Rail Regulator to oversee monopoly elements, particularly Railtrack. This policy was detailed in the Labour Party’s prospectus for the Railtrack share sale, and it is widely believed to have contributed to depressing the share price.

In 1998, Prescott’s characterisation of the privatised railway as a “national disgrace” at the Labour Party conference, despite receiving a standing ovation, drew criticism from Transport Minister John Reid . Industry representatives countered that the privatised companies had achieved cost reductions and revenue growth in a short period, deeming the criticisms premature and unjust.

During his speech, Prescott also signalled a more assertive stance towards the private rail companies, announcing a “spring clean” of the industry. In July 1998, he published a transport White Paper emphasizing the need for stability and certainty within the rail sector to facilitate effective planning.

In February 1999, Prescott announced the appointment of Sir Alastair Morton as the chairman of the Strategic Rail Authority, which would assume regulatory functions previously held by the Director of Passenger Rail Franchising. Prescott also appointed Tom Winsor as the new Rail Regulator in July 1999. Both Morton and Winsor shared Prescott’s view that the railway industry required significant institutional, operational, and economic reform to attract private investment and foster the development of robust and successful companies.

Local and Regional Government

As the minister responsible for local government, Prescott introduced a new framework for members’ conduct following 2001. This system mandated a nationally agreed Code of Conduct, enforced by statutory instrument , which all local authorities were required to adopt. The code provided guidance on councillors’ interests in matters under discussion, particularly when such interests were prejudicial, necessitating withdrawal from debate and voting. While councils had previously expected councillors to declare and withdraw from conflicts of interest, the new system was more formalised and included specific sanctions for violations. However, it faced criticism for potentially hindering councillors’ ability to represent the views of their constituents effectively.

Prescott was a proponent of regional government in England. Early in his tenure, he established regional assemblies , composed of delegates from local authorities and other regional stakeholders, to oversee the work of the nascent Regional Development Agencies. Following Labour’s re-election, he pushed for the creation of elected regional assemblies, envisioning bodies with 25 to 35 members elected via a system similar to that used for the London Assembly . Nevertheless, due to significant opposition, the government was compelled to hold regional referendums on the proposals. The first, held in the North-East in November 2004, where support was anticipated to be strongest, resulted in an overwhelming 78% rejection of the plans. This outcome led to the shelving of the elected regional assemblies initiative.

Housing

During Prescott’s tenure as the responsible minister, a growing number of households, particularly in the South East of England, placed increasing pressure on housing availability. The government proposed an increase in housebuilding, primarily focusing on brownfield sites, but also including some undeveloped greenfield areas. This policy drew accusations that Prescott was undermining the Green Belt designation. In a radio interview in January 1998, when asked about housing development on the green belt, Prescott, intending to emphasize the government’s commitment to enhancing green belt protection, stated: “It’s a Labour achievement, and we mean to build on it.” He was reportedly distressed when his earnest statement was met with laughter, having not intended it as a joke.

In the North of England, Prescott sanctioned the demolition of approximately 200,000 homes deemed to be located in “failing areas” as part of his Pathfinder regeneration scheme. Critics later argued that investing in the renovation of these properties, rather than their wholesale demolition, would have represented a more economically and socially sound approach.

Prescott also led the campaign to abolish council housing. However, this initiative lost momentum after tenants in Birmingham voted in 2002 to retain council ownership. A previous attempt to privatise all council housing within the London Borough of Camden had also failed in 1997.

Opposition to Education Reforms

On 17 December 2005, Prescott publicly voiced his dissent concerning Tony Blair ’s proposals to grant state schools greater autonomy over their finances and admissions policies, as well as to increase the number of city academies . This marked the first instance of Prescott publicly disagreeing with Blair on a policy matter since Blair’s election as leader in 1994. Prescott argued that the proposed reforms would create a discriminatory two-tier educational system that would disadvantage working-class children. He further asserted that the Labour Party had always been “better fighting class.”

Links with the Grass Roots

Prescott, often characterized as an old-school trade unionist, maintained a connection with the sentiments of traditional Labour voters throughout his political career. He was seen as a crucial figure within Tony Blair ’s “New Labour ” movement, serving as the voice for ‘old Labour’ interests both in the Shadow Cabinet and later within the Cabinet itself as Deputy Prime Minister.

However, as he became more integrated into the political establishment, his interactions with the grass roots were not always smooth. During the Brit Awards in 1998, Danbert Nobacon, a member of the band Chumbawamba , threw a jug of iced water over Prescott. Nobacon stated the action was “for the Liverpool Dockers ”, referring to a protracted industrial dispute involving dock workers in Liverpool that had recently concluded. The following day, a Daily Mirror reporter retaliated by throwing water over Nobacon.

Abolition of Department

In a significant Cabinet reshuffle on 5 May 2006, Prescott’s departmental responsibilities were transferred to Ruth Kelly , who became Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government . This move followed revelations concerning Prescott’s private life and a disappointing performance by the Labour Party in that year’s local elections. Prescott, however, remained as Deputy Prime Minister with a seat in the Cabinet. He was also appointed a special envoy to the Far East and given additional responsibilities chairing cabinet committees. Despite the loss of his primary departmental role, it was announced that he would retain his full salary and pension entitlements, along with his two official residences, a decision that drew considerable public and media criticism.

By July 2006, press speculation suggested that Prime Minister Tony Blair was considering replacing Prescott as Deputy Prime Minister with David Miliband , while potentially keeping Prescott on as Deputy Leader of the Labour Party , in light of the ongoing controversies surrounding him.

Announcement of Retirement

Addressing the 2006 Labour Party Conference in Manchester, Prescott offered an apology for the negative press attention the party had endured due to his actions over the preceding year. He stated: “I know in the last year I let myself down, I let you down. So Conference, I just want to say sorry.” He also confirmed his intention to step down as deputy leader upon Tony Blair’s resignation as Prime Minister. In January 2007, Prescott announced in the House of Commons that he was entering a “rather happy demob stage.”

On 10 May 2007, within half an hour of Tony Blair announcing the date of his resignation, Prescott declared his own resignation as Deputy Leader of the Labour Party. At the subsequent special Labour Party Conference, Gordon Brown was elected Leader, and Harriet Harman succeeded Prescott as Deputy Leader.

Life After Government

Following his departure from government, Prescott took on the role of the UK’s lead representative at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe , succeeding Tony Lloyd . This unpaid position, which included an expenses allowance, also allowed him to sit on the Assembly of the Western European Union . Within the Council of Europe, Prescott actively campaigned against slave labour, making it a central focus of his work.

Prescott chose not to stand for re-election at the 2010 general election , thus ending his 40-year tenure as an MP. His autobiography, Prezza, My Story: Pulling no Punches, was published in May 2008, with the assistance of ghostwriter Hunter Davies . During the 2010 general election campaign, Prescott toured the country in a distinctive white van, dubbed his “Battlebus,” to rally support for the Labour Party. He was a vocal and staunch supporter of Gordon Brown , referring to him as a “global giant.”

On 28 May 2010, it was announced that Prescott would be awarded a life peerage . The peerage was formally gazetted on 15 June 2010 as part of the 2010 Dissolution Honours . He was introduced to the House of Lords on 8 July 2010, taking the title Baron Prescott, of Kingston upon Hull in the County of East Yorkshire . The official Letters patent were gazetted on 12 July, with the peerage effective from 7 July.

Prescott also served as a director for the Super League rugby league club Hull Kingston Rovers , a team based in his former constituency. In September 2010, he stood for the position of Labour Party Treasurer but was ultimately defeated by Diana Holland , who secured a significant majority of the votes.

On 30 July 2010, Prescott appeared before the Chilcot Inquiry , which was investigating the Iraq War . He expressed doubts about the legality, intelligence, and veracity of the information concerning Iraq’s Weapons of Mass Destruction . The inquiry, initiated by Gordon Brown in 2009, concluded its work after the cessation of military operations. In 2016, following the publication of the Chilcot Report, which criticised the war but remained neutral on its legality, Prescott declared the invasion by UK and US forces to have been “illegal” and stated that members of Tony Blair’s Cabinet had been provided with “too little paper documentation to make decisions.”

In February 2012, Prescott announced his intention to seek the Labour nomination for the inaugural police and crime commissioner election for Humberside Police , scheduled for November 2012. He was selected as the Labour candidate in June of that year. In the November election, Prescott secured the most first-preference votes but ultimately lost to the Conservative candidate, Matthew Grove , in the second round of counting.

In March 2013, Prescott controversially suggested that Queen Elizabeth II should abdicate, citing her age and health. His comments drew criticism from several Members of Parliament. On 6 July 2013, Prescott revealed in a newspaper column that he had resigned from the Privy Council in protest against the protracted delays in implementing press regulation, a cause he had become a vocal advocate for. His resignation officially took effect on 6 November of the same year. The Coalition Government had insisted that the Privy Council review a cross-party Royal Charter to establish a new regulatory framework, a process Prescott believed would postpone a final decision until 2015.

A brief return to frontline politics occurred on 21 February 2015, when it was announced that Prescott would serve as an adviser to Labour leader Ed Miliband . This engagement was short-lived, as the Labour Party subsequently lost the imminent general election .

In October 2015, Prescott received the Shechtman International Leadership Award at the Sustainable Industrial Processing Summit 2015 in Antalya, Turkey, in recognition of his contributions to sustainable development within the political sphere.

Prescott formally ceased to be a member of the House of Lords on 9 July 2024, as per the provisions of the House of Lords Reform Act 2014 , due to a lack of attendance during the preceding parliamentary session. He retained his peerage.

Television Appearances

Prescott’s post-parliamentary life saw him engage with the media in various capacities. In June 2008, he made a cameo appearance as a policeman in the BBC Radio 4 adaptation of Robert Tressell ’s novel, The Ragged-Trousered Philanthropists . In 2009, he appeared as himself in a brief cameo in the final episode of the BBC Three comedy series Gavin & Stacey . This appearance was a nod to a recurring joke within the show concerning a past relationship between the character Nessa and Prescott.

Beginning in January 2011, Prescott featured in a television advert for the price comparison website moneysupermarket.com , alongside comedian Omid Djalili . The advert humorously referenced events from his political career. On 27 February 2011, he participated as a contestant on the BBC ’s popular motoring show Top Gear, setting a lap time of 1:56.7 in the “Star in a Reasonably Priced Car” segment, making him the second-slowest driver in a Kia Ceed tested under similar conditions. During his appearance, he engaged in a discussion with host Jeremy Clarkson about his time in government.

A two-part documentary series, Prescott: the Class System and Me, aired on BBC Two in October and November 2008. The series explored the nature of the class system in Britain and questioned its continued relevance. In 2009, he featured in the BBC Wales television series Coming Home, delving into his Welsh family history, with roots tracing back to Prestatyn and Chirk . Later that year, another BBC Two documentary, Prescott: The North/South Divide, saw him and his wife Pauline investigate the contemporary state of the North-South Divide from their perspective as long-term residents of Southern England.

In April 2015, Prescott appeared as a guest on the television panel show Have I Got News For You . During the episode, he reportedly had a “pretty heated” exchange with team captain Ian Hislop .

In 2019, Prescott hosted the Channel 5 television series Made in Yorkshire (also known as Made in Britain: Yorkshire), in which he examined the manufacturing processes behind some of Britain’s most popular food products.

Public Profile

John Prescott’s public persona was often characterized by his distinctive speaking style, which the press frequently described as prone to confused syntax and grammatical errors. Simon Hoggart , a columnist for The Guardian , famously quipped, “Every time Prescott opens his mouth, it’s like someone has flipped open his head and stuck in an egg whisk.” An apocryphal story, recounted in Jeremy Paxman ’s The Political Animal, suggests that prospective transcribers for Hansard , the official record of parliamentary debates, were required to transcribe one of Prescott’s speeches to demonstrate their proficiency. However, Liz Davies , writing about Prescott’s contributions within the Labour National Executive Committee , stated that he “spoke in clear, concise sentences and his point was always understandable. Contrary to his television and parliamentary image, he appears to choose his words with care.”

Throughout his political career, Prescott acquired a number of colourful sobriquets from the media. Initially known as “Prezza,” his public misfortunes led to more inventive nicknames. The moniker “Two Jags” became particularly prominent, stemming from his ownership of one Jaguar car and the use of another as his official ministerial vehicle. This nickname evolved, notably to “Two Jabs” following his physical response to a protester in 2001. Another nickname, “Two Shacks,” alluded to his former country house . After revelations about his affair led to the loss of his departmental responsibilities, newspapers adopted the more salacious “Two Shags” and “No Jobs.” Prescott’s driving record was also notable; after being banned from driving in 1991 for speeding, he faced a subsequent ban in June 2015 for a similar offense. Jay Kay, the frontman for the band Jamiroquai and himself known for speeding violations, commented in a 2000 television interview that Prescott possessed “about as much class as a British Rail sandwich.”

‘Prescott Punch’

During the 2001 election campaign , while campaigning in Rhyl , Denbighshire , Prescott was struck by an egg thrown by a protester named Craig Evans. Prescott, a former amateur boxer , reacted swiftly, delivering a left jab to the assailant’s jaw. The incident, which occurred during the launch of the Labour Party manifesto, was captured by television cameras and overshadowed the event. Prime Minister Tony Blair’s understated response was, “John is John.” Public reaction, according to a National Opinion Polls (NOP) survey, suggested that the incident did not harm Prescott’s standing and may have even boosted his image among male voters.

Speaking on Top Gear, Prescott recounted the incident: “When I walked past this guy, and he hit me with the egg, right, I don’t know it was an egg, I just feel this very warm thing running down my neck and I think, well I just think somebody’s perhaps knifed me or assaulted me, you know, that all happens in a split second, and I see this fellow built like a bloody barn door, and I turned, and I reacted, and when Tony [Blair] asked me, er, what happened I said I was carrying out his orders; he told us to connect with the electorate, so I did.” This event led to the nickname “Two Jabs,” a play on his existing “Two Jags” moniker.

Council Tax

In 2003, Prescott relinquished a rent-subsidised flat in Clapham that he had occupied since leaving the RMT Union in June 2002. He had been paying £220 per month for the property, a fraction of its market value. Although he had not declared this arrangement on the register of members’ interests, he was subsequently exonerated by MPs, who overturned the findings of Elizabeth Filkin , the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards . In a separate incident on 12 January 2006, Prescott issued an apology after it was revealed that the council tax for a government flat he occupied at Admiralty House had been paid from public funds rather than his personal income. He subsequently reimbursed the amount, totalling £3,830.52 over nearly nine years.

Sexual Infidelity

Prescott faced further scrutiny and criticism regarding allegations of sexual infidelity. On 26 April 2006, he admitted to having an affair with his diary secretary, Tracey Temple, which reportedly took place between 2002 and 2004. The affair, which allegedly began after an office party, is said to have included meetings at Prescott’s official residence in Whitehall . Conservative MP Andrew Robathan raised questions in the House of Commons regarding Prescott’s reported entertainment of Temple at Dorneywood , another official residence, sparking concerns about the potential misuse of public funds.

Sexual Assault Allegation

On 7 May 2006, The Sunday Times reported an allegation by Linda McDougall, the wife of Austin Mitchell . McDougall claimed that in 1978, Prescott had pushed her “quite forcefully” against a wall and placed his hand up her skirt as she opened the door to him for a meeting at her home, shortly after her husband had become an MP.

Expenses Claims

In May 2009, The Daily Telegraph began publishing details of MPs’ expenses claims, obtained through a leak. The newspaper reported that Prescott had claimed £312 for the installation of mock Tudor beams in his constituency home and for the replacement of two toilet seats over a two-year period. Prescott defended these claims, stating that “Every expense was within the rules of the House of Commons on claiming expenses at the time.”

Other Incidents

Prescott faced criticism for continuing to benefit from the privileges of Deputy Prime Minister after losing his departmental responsibilities in 2006. He was also questioned over his meetings with American billionaire Phil Anschutz , who was bidding for a government licence to build a super casino in the UK. Furthermore, his involvement in the business dealings of his son, Jonathan Prescott, attracted scrutiny. Prescott was photographed playing croquet at Dorneywood , his then “grace and favour ” residence, while Tony Blair was abroad on a visit to Washington. The media widely mocked this image, viewing it as incongruous with Prescott’s working-class origins. In response, he relinquished the use of the house. Prescott later stated that the croquet game had been suggested by his staff and that he was not acting Prime Minister at the time, contrary to press reports.

Personal Life, Illness, and Death

John Prescott married Pauline Tilston in 1961. Together, they had two sons. Their younger son, David Prescott, has been active in Labour Party politics and has worked in the office of former party leader Jeremy Corbyn . David Prescott sought to inherit his father’s parliamentary seat in Hull but was unsuccessful in securing the nomination; he later stood as the Labour candidate for Gainsborough in 2015. Pauline Tilston had a son from a previous relationship with an American airman in the 1950s, whom she had given up for adoption. In a 2012 appearance on the radio programme Desert Island Discs , Prescott acknowledged this son as part of his family, referring to him as a third son.

Prescott publicly disclosed his diagnosis of type 2 diabetes in 2002, having been diagnosed in 1990. He was briefly hospitalised in June 2007 with pneumonia and received treatment at University College Hospital , London. In 2008, Prescott revealed that he had battled the eating disorder bulimia nervosa from the 1980s until 2007, attributing its onset to stress.

In June 2019, Prescott was admitted to Hull Royal Infirmary following a stroke. He subsequently returned to his duties, making only one further appearance in the House of Lords and casting his last vote in February 2023. His membership in the House of Lords concluded in July 2024 due to non-attendance.

John Prescott passed away on 20 November 2024, at the age of 86. His family stated that he had been residing in a care home and had been living with Alzheimer’s disease . Tributes were paid by former Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown , as well as the incumbent Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner . His funeral was held at Hull Minster on 30 January 2025.

Publications

• Prescott, John (2008). Prezza: My Story: Pulling No Punches. London: Headline Review. ISBN  978-0-7553-1775-2. OCLC  212431550.

There. A rather thorough examination, wouldn’t you agree? It’s a life lived large, certainly. Full of the usual political machinations, the public triumphs and the private stumbles. One can’t help but be… intrigued. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have matters of far greater import to attend to.