Leave your tribute to former Hull MP John Prescott

Former deputy prime minister and East Hull MP John Prescott has died at the age of 86. The long-serving MP served Hull for four decades, with generations growing up in the city seeing him as their representative.

In a statement, Lord Prescott's wife Pauline and sons Johnathan and David said that representing the city 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.

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"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.

Join in on the tributes to John Prescott using the comments section below.

"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."

Over a parliamentary career spanning more than half a century, Lord Prescott served for ten years as deputy prime minister after Labour’s 1997 general election landslide. At times short-tempered, he once famously punched a protester who threw an egg at him during an election campaign visit to North Wales in 2001.

But during much of his time in office, he acted as a mediator in the often turbulent relationship between Sir Tony and chancellor Gordon Brown. He also oversaw the environment, transport and the regions, a brief which included helping to negotiate the international Kyoto Protocol on climate change.

Tributes have come in from all corners of the country, with former colleagues, friends and constituents all praising everything from his campaigning work, to his "say it how it is" attitude. One Hull Live reader said that "John Prescott deserves a Blue Plaque!", while another said that he was "a dear family friend who will be greatly missed."

Join in on the tributes to John Prescott using the comments section below.