Gordon Brown pays tribute to 'friend and political colossus' John Prescott following death

Former prime minister Gordon Brown has paid tribute to John Prescott following his death aged 86.

Prescott died after “living with Alzheimer’s”, his family confirmed on Thursday.

The trade union activist was Britain’s longest-serving deputy prime minister and spent ten years under Tony Blair’s leadership.

During that time, he was known to act as a conciliator between Blair and then-chancellor Brown.

Speaking to STV News, Brown described Prescott as a “friend and political colossus”.

“He was a Labour titan. He was one of the all-time greats because he had passion, he had courage. He was determined to get things done”, he explained.

“He believed that if he had managed to achieve opportunities because he was able to develop his potential, then everybody should have the chance to get these opportunities. That’s what motivated him in his political career.”

The former prime minister described Prescott as “incredibly determined” in his work during the Blair and Brown years and a man who “got things done”.

He added: “John was a great guy. People talk about what he said, what did he do? He transformed our view of climate change, he was the leader in that.

“He improved 1.5m houses. So people are living in far better homes as a result of that. Nobody’s done that ever since. At the same time, he led the way on regional policy in getting Scotland, Wales, and the regions of England.

“He was the pioneer, if you like, of levelling up. He wanted to see every part of the country enjoying economic prosperity.

“So John was actually a change merchant. He got things done. He wasn’t just talk. People think of him as an uncompromising trade unionist who was incredibly determined. He actually got things done.”

Blair said early on Thursday he was “devastated” by Prescott’s death and described his deputy as “one of the most talented people I ever encountered in politics”.

“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.

“There was nothing about John which fitted conventional wisdom. He was from proud traditional working-class stock yet understood instinctively and completely the aspirations of that class and their desire to better themselves.”