John Prescott: Tributes paid to political 'colossus' 

John Prescott was a political "colossus", former prime minister Gordon Brown has said.

Prescott, a former trade union activist who became deputy prime minister, served as an MP for almost 40 years.

He died at the age of 86 after living with Alzheimer's, prompting tributes from across politics.

In a statement, his wife and two sons said: "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. He did so surrounded by the love of his family and the jazz music of Marian Montgomery."

Prescott served as deputy prime minister for a decade after the 1997 Labour landslide.

Tony Blair called him "loyal, committed and an enormous help", saying: "There was no one quite like him in British politics."

In a statement, he said: "Although we all knew that the end was approaching and was inevitable, I am devastated by John’s passing.

"He was one of the most talented people I ever encountered in politics; one of the most committed and loyal; and definitely the most unusual."

Brown, who was chancellor before becoming prime minister, told the Today programme: "John was a friend of mine, he was a colleague but when you think of him, he was a colossus, he was a titan of the Labour movement."

Lothian East MP Douglas Alexander, who served in the Blair and Brown governments, called his former colleague "a one-off" and "a giant of Labour history".

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Prescott's "passion, force of personality and pride in his working class roots was key to his authenticity", while Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner called him "an inspiration".

Prescott received a peerage in 2010 and acted as an advisor to Ed Miliband. He suffered a stroke in 2019 and his membership of the Lords ended in July due to non-attendance.

Posting on X, former prime minister David Cameron said politics had "lost a great character", saying: "We might have had different political views, but there is no doubting John Prescott's impact on British politics over four decades and more."

First Minister John Swinney said he was "very sorry to hear of the death of John Prescott", adding: "He devoted his political life to the Labour Party and to social justice. I extend my sympathy to John’s wife Pauline and her family and to his Labour family who will mourn the loss of a unique man."

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said described Prescott as "a man of principle, of conviction and of rare ability". He went on: "John Prescott dedicated his life to the cause of working people and public service. My thoughts are with his family and friends. He will be missed."