FORMER UK DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER JOHN PRESCOTT DIES AT 86.(PHOTO).

 Former UK Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott Dies at 86

John Prescott, the former Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom who served under Tony Blair and played a key role in transforming the Labour Party, has passed away at the age of 86, his family confirmed on Thursday.

“We are deeply saddened to inform you that our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, John Prescott, passed away yesterday (Wednesday) at the age of 86,” a statement from the family read.

Prescott, a former merchant seaman and trade unionist, was appointed by Blair to help bring balance to the Labour Party as it shifted towards the political center. Blair expressed his grief, describing Prescott as "devastated" by the loss. “There was no one quite like him in British politics,” Blair told BBC radio.

Keir Starmer, the current Labour leader and UK Prime Minister, praised Prescott as “a true giant of the Labour movement.” Starmer highlighted Prescott’s pivotal role in the Labour government’s achievements, calling him a staunch defender of working people and a proud trade unionist. “He was one of the key architects of a Labour government that transformed the lives of millions,” Starmer said, adding that Prescott’s legacy would endure, particularly through his leadership on climate negotiations and his fight against regional inequality.

Prescott died peacefully at a care home, surrounded by his family and the jazz music of Marian Montgomery, his wife Pauline and two sons said. He had been battling health issues, including a stroke in 2019 and Alzheimer's disease, which led him to retire from the House of Lords earlier this year.

Serving as Deputy Prime Minister for a decade after Labour’s landslide 1997 election victory, Prescott was known for his no-nonsense approach. He famously punched a protester who threw an egg at him during a campaign event in Wales. Beyond his tough exterior, he acted as a mediator between Blair and Gordon Brown, his finance minister, helping to manage tensions within the party’s leadership.

His responsibilities included overseeing environmental and transport issues, and he led the UK’s climate negotiations for the Kyoto Protocol. Blair once described Prescott’s role in a 2007 letter, saying he “smoothed out colleagues, sorted out trouble, and above all, kept the government together."

Prescott’s unique blend of charm and directness earned him the admiration of his colleagues, and Blair fondly recalled his time as deputy: “I was lucky to have you as my deputy.”