Tony Blair’s former British Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott dies aged 86 after battle with Alzheimer’s

Britain’s pugnacious Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, who served in Tony Blair’s government for 10 years, has died at the age of 86 after a battle with Alzheimer’s, his family said Thursday.

Prescott, who served under Blair from 1997 to 2007, was known as an outspoken politician who bridged the gap between the traditional left and modernizers in the Labor Party.

“There was no one like him in British politics,” Blair told BBC radio. “I honestly don’t think I’ve ever met anyone quite like John, and I still don’t think I’ve ever met anyone like him, and I’m so sorry he’s dead.”

A proud trade unionist, he has been called an old-style political “creator”; He famously punched a member of the public after being pelted with eggs during the 2001 election campaign.

“I was thinking this morning about the time he broke an egg on someone’s head and he turned around and punched the guy and knocked him to the ground. There were no rules he really followed,” Blair said.

Prescott was born in a seaside house in Wales on May 31, 1938. His father was a railroad signalman and his mother was a maid.

At the age of 17, he went to sea as a steward on a luxury cruise ship, where boxing matches were held among the crew to entertain the passengers.

Once ashore, he entered politics and went to Oxford’s Ruskin College, which offered courses for mature students.

Prescott entered parliament in 1970 and rose through the ranks to become a key player in Labour’s historic three election victories from 1997 to 2007.

He served as peace broker in the often tense relationship between Blair and his future successor Gordon Brown, and was later dubbed “The Two Jags” after using the ministerial car for a 200-metre journey. hair blowing in the wind.

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He was lampooned by the press for his lack of oratory skills and his reputation was tarnished after he admitted in April 2006 to a long-term extramarital affair with his young diary secretary.

But Blair described Prescott as one of the most talented people he had encountered in politics and said he was vital in “keeping the whole show together” during Labor’s decade in power.

Brown said Prescott was a Labor legend who believed in the good of all, “despite a seemingly deceptive image of uncompromising toughness”. Current Labor Prime Minister Keir Starmer described it as a “one-off”.

“As one of the key architects of the Labor government, John has achieved something rare: he changed people’s lives and set the path for us all to follow,” Starmer told parliament. “He did things his way, with humor, pride, passion and complete conviction.”

King Charles said he was deeply saddened when he heard the news of his death.

“I remember with great fondness his unique and indomitable character, as well as his infectious sense of humour,” the monarch said.

Among the tributes from current and former politicians was former US Vice President Al Gore, who hailed Prescott’s work towards negotiating the 1997 Kyoto Protocol on climate change. Prescott considered this his greatest achievement.

“I have never worked with anyone in politics — on my side of the pond or that side — like John Prescott,” Gore said.

Prescott is survived by his wife of 63 years, Pauline, and their two sons. His family said he died “surrounded by the love of his family and the jazz music of Marian Montgomery.”