John Prescott – a key figure of Sir Tony Blair’s New Labour project – has died aged 86 after a battle with Alzheimer’s.
Lord Prescott had “spent his life trying to improve the lives of others, fighting for social justice and protecting the environment,” his family said. The politician served for 10 years as deputy prime minister after Labour’s 1997 general election landslide.
And he died peacefully and surrounded by relatives at his care home on Wednesday, Lord Prescott’s family said. Tributes have been paid to the politician, who leaves behind two children and wife Pauline Tilston.
Seen by many as custodian of the party’s traditional values in the face of a modernising leadership, the veteran politician 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.
“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,” the poignant family statement reads.
John Prescott’s family statement in full
In a statement released after his death, Lord Prescott’s 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.”