John Prescott’s family has confirmed his death (Image: Getty)
Former deputy prime minister John Prescott has died aged 86, his family has announced.
His loved one confirmed the tragic news following a battle with Alzheimer’s, and said he had “spent his life trying to improve the lives of others, fighting for social justice and protecting the environment”.
The former trade union activist and ex-merchant seaman died “peacefully” and surrounded by relatives at his care home, they said.
Prescott was best known for his forthright style and for serving in Tony Blair’s New Labour Government from 1997 to 2007.
Prescott was also known for having a great sense of humour but also a short fuse. While campaigning in the 2001 General Election, the then-deputy prime minister infamously punched a protester who hit him with an egg.
Ten years later, quipping about the incident on Top Gear, he told : “When Tony Blair asked me what had happened, I said I was carrying out his orders, you told us to connect with the electorate so I did.”
The Prestatyn-born Labour figure was branded “two Jags” by some.
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