Former deputy prime minister John Prescott has died at the age of 86 after battling Alzheimer’s, his family announced. The Labour veteran, who was a pivotal figure in Sir Tony Blair ’s New Labour project, died peacefully in a care home surrounded by family.

Lord Prescott, who was the MP for Kingston upon Hull East for 40 years, died on Wednesday after suffering from Alzheimer's Disease. He served as deputy Prime Minister for 10 years under Tony Blair - the longest anyone has held the post - and was seen as a working class contrast to Blair and Gordon Brown.

Lord John Prescott, who served as deputy prime minister to Tony Blair for 10 years, has died at the age of 86.

Tributes have been paid to Lord John Prescott, a major figure in Labour politics and the former deputy prime minister, following his death at the age of 86. Known for his blunt, no-nonsense style, Lord Prescott was Sir Tony Blair's loyal deputy for 10 years after Labour's 1997 general election landslide.

John Prescott was an old-style political bruiser who played a vital role in the New Labour project. He scorned what he called "the beautiful people" - the men in smart suits with red roses and mobile phones who became the new face of Labour.

Tributes have flooded in after the family of John Prescott announced his death, aged 86, from complications arising from Alzheimer's disease. The former trade unionist and MP for Kingston upon Hull East was Tony Blair's deputy prime minister from 1997 to 2007,