Breaking News: The politician served as deputy PM for ten years after Labour’s 1997, John Prescott, former deputy prime minister, dies aged 86…see more

Former deputy prime minister John Prescott has died at the age of 86 following a battle with Alzheimer’s.

The news was announced by his family, who said the politician died peacefully surrounded by his relatives at his care home. John, a former trade union activist and ex-merchant seaman, served as deputy prime minister from 1997 to 2007 and as First Secretary of State from 2001 to 2007.

After John’s death his wife Pauline and sons Johnathan and David said that representing the people of Hull as an MP 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. “He did so surrounded by the love of his family and the jazz music of Marian Montgomery.