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Prescott's achievements extraordinary - Blair Blair praises 'extraordinary' Prescott at funeral
(about 1 hour later)
Sir Tony Blair was among more than 300 invited guests at the funeral of former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott
John Prescott's achievements were "extraordinary", said former Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair at his funeral.
Delivering his eulogy at Hull Minster on Thursday, Sir Tony said Prescott was a "complicated man, wrestling frequently with the tangle of ambition and altruism".
"He possessed deep principles, but was also determined to make his mark," he added.
The former deputy prime minister and Hull MP died on 20 November, aged 86, in a care home where he was living with Alzheimer's disease.
The funeral of former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott took place at Hull Minster on ThursdayThe funeral of former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott took place at Hull Minster on Thursday
Former Prime Minister Tony Blair speaking at the funeral of his former deputy John Prescott described his achievements as "extraordinary". Lord Prescott was deputy prime minister between 1997 and 2007.
Blair, who was among ministers past and present at Hull Minster on Thursday for Lord Prescott's funeral, gave a eulogy at the service. Sir Tony said: "His achievements were extraordinary.
Blair began his tribute by describing Lord Prescott as a "complicated man, wrestling frequently with the tangle of ambition and altruism".
"He possessed deep principles, but was also determined to make his mark."
Tony Blair said "there is not one of us who thinks of John without a smile"
Lord Prescott, who served as deputy prime minister between 1997 and 2007, died on 20 November, aged 86. He had been in a care home living with Alzheimer's disease.
Those paying their respects at Thursday's service included Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan.
Lord Prescott's coffin was carried into the minster as former Downing Street director of communications Alastair Campbell played the Welsh national anthem on the bagpipes.
Blair said: "His achievements were extraordinary.
"He was essential in designing the major constitutional reforms of our government, the Scottish parliament, the Welsh assembly and the first elected mayor of London."He was essential in designing the major constitutional reforms of our government, the Scottish parliament, the Welsh assembly and the first elected mayor of London.
"He pioneered the idea of an integrated transport system. Throw him a problem and he would provide a solution."He pioneered the idea of an integrated transport system. Throw him a problem and he would provide a solution.
"There is not one of us who thinks of John without a smile.""There is not one of us who thinks of John without a smile."
PM Sir Keir Starmer was among those who attended John Prescott's funeral Sir Tony Blair said "there is not one of us who thinks of John without a smile"
Other eulogies were delivered, including by Lord Prescott's son, David, who said: "He taught me the importance of lifting people up and not putting people down."Other eulogies were delivered, including by Lord Prescott's son, David, who said: "He taught me the importance of lifting people up and not putting people down."
Brown said: "For 60 years, this great city of Hull was his home. He served it with pride, passion and principle." Mr Prescott ended his tribute with a quote from his father's 1968 speech to the East Hull Labour Party when he ran to be selected as a candidate .
The former prime minister added: "We will never see his like again. A man of the people he certainly was. In a class by himself, a one-off, one of a kind, but one of us in the best sense of the word." "Comrades I hope I can help," it said, with Mr Prescott adding: "You did dad, you did."
Others paying their respects at the service included Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan.
Lord Prescott's coffin was carried into the minster as former Downing Street director of communications Alastair Campbell played the Welsh national anthem on the bagpipes.
PM Sir Keir Starmer was among those who attended John Prescott's funeral
Brown paid tribute to Lord Prescott as a "working class hero" who "kept the show on the road during difficult times".
He added: "For 60 years, this great city of Hull was his home. He served it with pride, passion and principle.
"We will never see his like again. A man of the people he certainly was. In a class by himself, a one-off, one of a kind, but one of us in the best sense of the word."
John Prescott was described as serving the city of Hull with "pride, passion and principle"John Prescott was described as serving the city of Hull with "pride, passion and principle"
The service, hosted by the Rev Canon Dominic Black, included singing by the Choral-Hull children's choir, made up from pupils across the city. The service, hosted by the Rev Canon Dr Dominic Black, included singing by the Choral-Hull children's choir, made up from pupils across the city.
The vicar of Hull ended the service with a reading from the bible and the congregation recited the Lord's Prayer as he delivered the final blessing over the coffin.
Dr Black then referenced the New Labour anthem "things can only get better", but added "sadly not", as he talked about how "troubling times are afoot in our world".
But he ended with a poignant note that "there is hope, things can better".
Lord Prescott was first elected as MP for Hull East in 1970 and went on to hold the seat for almost 40 years.Lord Prescott was first elected as MP for Hull East in 1970 and went on to hold the seat for almost 40 years.
In lieu of flowers, the Prescott family requested donations for Alzheimer's Research UK.In lieu of flowers, the Prescott family requested donations for Alzheimer's Research UK.
Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here, external.Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here, external.