Infamous moment former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott PUNCHES a protestor on the campaign trial in Rhyl 2001.
For the latest reaction to Lord Prescott's death followJohn Prescott has died at the age of 86, his family revealed today.
After the 'Prescott Punch' his boss Mr Blair had remarked that 'John is John' as footage of his deputy prime minister's left jab and the wrestling match that followed went around the world. Prescott, who avoided an assault charge, later joked he was 'connecting with the electorate' when he thwacked a member of the public.
For more than a decade, the ex-merchant seaman and cruise ship steward provided a crucial link with the party's working-class roots as Sir Tony's reforming drive led critics to accuse him of abandoning socialism altogether. He was also a go-between when Blair and Gordon Brown's relationship failed. His family said he had 'spent his life trying to improve the lives of others, fighting for social justice and protecting the environment' as he worked under Sir Tony Blair
Former prime minister Sir Tony Blair today recalled the moment John Prescott punched a protester who threw an egg at him in 2001. 'And then there were other people who said, yeah, but you know... he had this egg slammed in his head, and he turned around and whacked the guy, and a lot of people think, well, fair enough.
In a statement released after his death, his wife Pauline and sons Johnathan and David said that representing the people of Hull had been 'his greatest honour'. 'John dearly loved his home of Hull and representing its people in Parliament for 40 years was his greatest honour. He had only spoken once in the chamber since suffering a stroke in 2019, official records show, and had not voted since February 2023.
'He was a titan. Between 1997 and 2007 helping John Smith and Tony Blair reform the Labour Party to make it electable, and then the former boxer was key to holding the ring and keeping things together during difficult times such as over Iraq. Paying tribute to the former deputy prime minister, Lord Mandelson said: 'John Prescott was one of the all time greats of the Labour Party.'He was the cement that kept New Labour together, a massive force for good as well as a tremendous personality.'
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. 'To say we were partners would never capture the nature of our relationship. The was nothing formal about it. We met and talked regularly. Rules of protocol were cast aside. Debates were had which could be fierce. But once concluded, the common line was kept.John Prescott poses with Angela Rayner in boxing gloves - after famously punching a protester in 2001
Current Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: 'I am deeply saddened to hear of the death of John Prescott. 'Across the Labour Party and the union movement he will be remembered for his conviction, courage and strength of character. Lord Prescott was Deputy Prime Minister for a decade, attending Cabinet and mediating between Sir Tony Blair and Gordon Brown
Former US vice president Al Gore, who worked with John Prescott on the Kyoto Protocol climate change agreement in 1997, said he had 'never worked with anyone in politics - on my side of the pond or his - quite like John Prescott'. In a statement posted on X, Mr Turner said: 'John had an unwavering dedication to the people of Hull. Having known John for all of my life, I know first hand the impact that he had on many thousands of people across the city and the country.'
In a post on X, she wrote: 'I'll always remember what he did for the MV Derbyshire families, insisting on work that led to the vindication of their deceased relatives, who they felt had been blamed for the sinking.' As well as becoming an accomplished amateur boxer, he was also becoming active in the Labour Party and the National Union of Seamen.
In that role he was credited with a number of successes, including helping to negotiate the international Kyoto Protocol on climate change and creating regional development councils as well as reforms to the transport system. The incident however did no damage to the party at the polls, while Lord Prescott joked that he had simply been obeying Sir Tony's orders.During Labour's second term, Lord Prescott increasingly found himself drawn into the role of peacemaker between Sir Tony and Mr Brown, amid the chancellor's growing frustration at the unwillingness of his erstwhile friend to step aside.
Following Sir Tony's departure from No 10 in May 2007, Lord Prescott announced he would not be standing again as an MP, and following the 2010 general election he was introduced to the Lords as Baron Prescott of Kingston upon Hull. It is no exaggeration to say the Labour Party could never have won three consecutive full terms without John. He was a commanding presence. He represented the wing of the Party which was not New Labour, but he did it in a way which never reduced the effectiveness of our appeal and indeed extended it, broadening the base of our support.
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