John Prescott dies as tributes paid to politician who famously punched bloke who egged him

An ex-Labour politician responsible for one of British politics’ most iconic moments has died. John Prescott served as Deputy Prime Minister under Tony Blair from 1997 to 2007, a period when he also held various other high profile cabinet roles.

He was made a Peer in 2010, after spending around 40 years as an MP. His family announced his death at the age of 86 this morning, following a battle with Alzheimer’s. They 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. He did so surrounded by the love of his family and the jazz music of Marian Montgomery.”

And as laudable and impressive as Prescott’s political career was, there was one moment that stands out in infamy – and was trending on social media within minutes of the announcement of his death.

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It all started in 2001, when Prescott campaigned in Rhyl, North Wales. But moments after he got off his campaign bus, a protestor got annoyed with Prescott, and at close range, chucked an egg right at him.

Protestor Craig Evans and Prescott then got into an almighty brawl – in front of the watching masses, media and police. The protestor managed to pin Prescott down on a small wall as they wrestled each other.

Police and Labour party officials managed to free the shaken politician, but the chaos didn’t stop there as he was was jostled by another protester on his way into a nearby building.

Weirdly, while trying to defend Evans, his girlfriend said: “He’s a placid lad who has never been in trouble. Craig threw an egg at Mr Prescott, who was walking past after getting off the battle bus. Then Mr Prescott grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and thumped him.”

But taking a rather stoic view, Prescott retorted: “I was attacked by an individual. In the melee that followed I clearly defended myself.”

Evans blamed his actions on a “hard winter” and that he was a “farmer and there has been little work on the farms recently. And I am angry at the lack of support for farmers and farm workers.”

Sounds rather familiar . . .

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