News about John Prescott

With tomorrow being Labour 's 100th day in office, the guild of sketch-writers is planning a celebratory wassail. We will shoot the apple tree, have a Morris dance and sing hey-nonny-no to the fertile gods of farce. Much of the country may be fed up, but from our viewpoint things are going deliciously. Yesterday brought further ­succulents. Louise Haigh was taking departmental questions, her dyed hair a blinding pink, her face vaguely tanned and her dress bright green. Ms Haigh, Secretary of State for Transport, had come as a traffic light. In manner, however, she was all go-go-go, with indubitable swagger and a magnificently-curled lip. She sounded so furious, it was as if she was trying to match her Cabinet colleague Bridget Phillipson for sulphurous loathing of the Tories.

I have spent much of my career as a GP championing women's health. It's something I feel ­passionate about - because women are so often poorly served by the NHS and medicine in ­general. We are half of the population - yet just 2 per cent of research is focused on female reproductive health, pregnancy and childbirth. And, until recently, subjects such as incontinence, sexual dysfunction in women and the ­menopause - something that every women will go through - were little talked-about. Thanks to campaigners and, more recently, celebrities opening up about their own issues, these subjects are less taboo. But there is a group being left behind that I think we need to talk about: men.

As Rachel Reeves is given the keys to ­Dorneywood, the 21-room grace-and-favour Buckinghamshire home that was occupied by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott in the last Labour government, it is perhaps the strongest signal yet that the Exchequer's ­responsibility surpasses that of Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner. Reeves is set to follow through with Sir Keir Starmer's ­warning that those with the 'broadest shoulders' will bear the brunt of tax hikes in her first Budget next month. Left-leaning think tanks have been advising Reeves to loot pension savings and take a hefty chunk out of our children's inheritances. And experts say that Individual Savings Accounts (Isas) could also be in the Exchequer's sights.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves (pictured) is set to follow through with Sir Keir Starmer's ­warning that those with the 'broadest shoulders' will bear the brunt of tax hikes. Left-leaning think tanks have been advising Reeves to loot pension savings and take a hefty chunk out of our children's inheritances.

The Daily Mail understands that Dorneywood (right), a 21-room grace-and-favour mansion, has been given not to Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister, but to Rachel Reeves (left), the Chancellor of the Exchequer. It is a blow to Ms Rayner as the last Labour deputy prime minister, John Prescott, was handed rent-free use of the 18th-century home instead of the then chancellor, Gordon Brown. The official website of Dorneywood, which was given to the nation by the industrialist Lord Courtauld-Thomson in 1947 as a country home for a senior member of the government, has quietly confirmed that Ms Reeves is the new occupant. On the page for the property - which is set in 200 acres of Buckinghamshire countryside - it states: 'July 2024 to present: Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer.'

CRAIG BROWN: Actors like to think of themselves as sensitive, but more often than not it's just another word for touchy. Over the years, Queen Elizabeth showered Sir Ian McKellen with honours - a CBE in 1979, a Knighthood in 1991, a Companion of Honour in 2008 - but he remains steadfastly ungrateful. 'The Queen, I'm sure she was quite mad at the end,' he told a journalist from The Times last week. 'And on the few occasions I met her she was quite rude. When I received a medal for acting, she said, 'You've been doing this for an awfully long time.' I said, 'Well, not as long as you.' I got a royal smile for that, but then she said, 'Does anyone actually go to the theatre?' That's bloody rude when you're giving someone a medal for acting. It meant, 'Does anyone care a f*** about you because I don't. Now off you go!'

Big Angela, minister for planning, intended to build over great swathes of the English counties. 'There's gonna be a council house revolution,' she bellowed. And not just houses. 'We are going to make it easier to build lavatories!' This was met with initial delight by Labour MPs sitting behind her - they nod at anything ministers say. But after a moment some of them did frown a little. It turned out that Mrs Rayner had meant to say 'laboratories'.

Rachel Reeves is staging a planning revolution. The Chancellor aspires to deliver 1.5m homes over this parliament to revive the economy - and solve the chronic housing shortage. The ambitious policies should allow hundreds of thousands of young people to fulfil the dream of climbing on to the housing ladder. But will these ground-breaking measures mean bumper profits for Britain's household name developers, making their shares an essential buy for your portfolio? Or will the reforms be blocked by a range of challenges, including legal action from locals determined to safeguard the identity of their town or village from a new housing scheme? Here's what you need to know about the plans, the obstacles - but also the opportunities that could allow you to make the most of a future construction boom.

The Government has made a pledge to be 'builders not blockers' and its hugely ambitious policies should allow hundreds of thousands of young people to fulfil the dream of climbing on to the housing ladder. Here's what you need to know about the plans, the obstacles - but also the opportunities that could allow you to make the most of a future construction boom.

John Prescott has ceased to be a member of the House of Lords as the ex-deputy PM's parliamentary career - spanning more than half a century - came to an end. The 86-year-old was first elected to Parliament as MP for Hull in 1970, before going on to become a key member of Tony Blair's New Labour government. He earned the nickname 'two Jags' after it emerged he had two official Jaguar cars while deputy PM. He also infamously punched a protester before the 2021 election. Lord Prescott remained in the House of Commons until 2010, when he joined the Lords, but he has only spoken once in the chamber since suffering a stroke in 2019. He was among a number of peers who were today declared to have 'ceased to be members of the House by virtue of non-attendance in the last session of Parliament'. These also included one-time jailbirds Jeffrey Archer and Conrad Black.

Dorneywood, an 18th century house in Buckinghamshire, is traditionally used by the Chancellor, but one option could be for Rachel Reeves to share the estate with Angela Rayner. Her predecessor as Labour Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, was allowed to use Dorneywood when Tony Blair was in No 10 because his Chancellor, Gordon Brown, felt uncomfortable with the country squire image. Alternatively, the pair could share Chevening, a 115-room mansion in Kent, which tradition suggests should go to Foreign Secretary David Lammy.

DAILY MAIL COMMENT: In one of his many verbal gaffes, former deputy prime minister John Prescott once declared: 'The green belt is a Labour achievement. And we intend to build on it.' At the time, it was laughed off as just another faux pas by that most linguistically challenged of politicians. Today, however, it seems his words were prophetic. If Labour wins power, Sir Keir Starmer plans to reassess the green belt with a view to reclassifying parts of it for residential and commercial use.

PATRICK MARMION: Frances Hodgson Burnett's beloved children's story is subject to an audacious but charming cross-pollination project at Regent's Park. And where the glorious backdrop of the park itself sets the bar very high, director Anna Himali Howard's multicultural makeover doesn't disappoint. The story of spoilt Mary, orphaned in India and shipped out to the fictional Edwardian home of Misselthwaite Manor in Yorkshire, remains pretty much intact. Now, though, Mary is mixed-race (having an Indian mother), and the secret garden she discovers in her new home is laid out along South Asian lines by her (late) Indian aunt.

It emerged last night that former prime minister Harold Wilson (right) had an affair during his second stint in Downing Street with his deputy press secretary, Janet Hewlett-Davies (inset). But he was by no means the first politician to have a romantic liaison whilst climbing the ladders of power. Edwina Currie revealed her four-year affair with Sir John (both pictured left in 1994) in her diaries in 2002. The sexual liaison began when Sir John was a Government whip and Ms Currie - who later became a health minister - was a backbencher. In 1983, Cabinet minister Cecil Parkinson was forced to resign from his position as trade and industry secretary when it emerged that he was having an affair with his secretary Sara Keays (bottom left). Ms Keays was pregnant with his child, Flora, who grew up with severe epilepsy. In 2006, John Prescott, then the deputy prime minister, admitted to a two-year affair with his secretary Tracey Temple (bottom right, with Mr Prescott). In June 2021, then Health Secretary Matt Hancock's career came crashing down when CCTV footage was published showing him passionately kissing his aide, Gina Coladangelo (bottom centre with Mr Hancock), inside his office. It emerged that the pair, who were both married and had known each other since meeting at university, had been engaged in an affair.

Thousands of accidental mishaps have been witnessed at the BRIT Awards over the years. Every year, there has been a surprise occasion worth mentioning, from show-stopping music performances to amazing outfits and unplanned gaffes. As the 2024 ceremony prepares to grace screens on Saturday night for another

It's also true that airlines are cramming an increasing number of "slimline" seats into Economy sections, but that's not surprising considering that they are in fact supermodel sizes. So unsuitable is this stout for those with a larger girth, as airlines such as Air France are advising the st out to buy an extra seat 'if your builder does not allow you to sit comfortably in a single seat.' And this week, Finnair is allowing us to tackle the extra pounds by weighing passengers at the departure gate. Humiliating? Unquestionably, the answer is no.

Derek Draper's name became synonymous with the Coronavirus pandemic's horrific toll in his last years. With Covid-19, the former 'ruthless political strategist' spent more than a year in hospital beginning in early 2020 and eventually not recovering. However, it was as a central New Labour figure that he was remembered by his former colleagues after he died at the age of 56 last month. The respect shown today by the presence of Labour's leading lights in the 1997 election at Primrose Hill, north London, was evident. Derek, who was instrumental in Labour's victory over John Major's Conservative government, was honoured today by figures led by former Prime Minister Tony Blair (inset today with wife Cherie). The New Labour spin doctor attained a slew of influence in the 1990s but he was best known for his involvement in the 'lobbygate' scandal. He began working as a researcher for Blairite Peter Mandelson, who attended his funeral. Derek joined GPC Market Access in 1996 and created Progress with Liam Byrne, a former minister who went on to become an MP. Mr Draper, 1998 (left) with Labour colleagues Neil Kinnock, John Prescott, and Peter Mandelson in the early 1990s (top right); with his wife during her time on I'm a Celebrity in 2019.

Our analysts examine the movies expected to make waves at the Academy Awards, from jaw-dropping Oppenheimer to epic Napoleon and Saltburn's exuberant satire on class.

EXCLUSIVE: Locals living near the massive Cheshire home, which has been likened to a Tesco Extra supermarket, have now revealed that the Bet365 commuter commutes to work in one of her two helicopters. The betting company's chief executive and founder usually arrive at 8 a.m. or 9 a.m. on Sunday, and returns by 4 p.m. each day.

Mr Draper, who died of long-term coronavirus, was married to television presenter Kate Garraway, and was one of Britain's most prominent media couples. Sir Tony was one of the leading New Labour figures to pay tributes to Mr Draper, who served with Blairite Lord Mandelson and established the Progress group with Liam Byrne, who went on to become an MP. He called him a "tough, sometimes ruthless strategist" and a "brilliant advisor," but he also said he was a "loving, compassionate, and good natured man." Gordon Brown, another former Prime Minister, wrote on social media: "So sad that after such a long fight, Derek Draper has lost his life as a result of Covid'.' 'I will remember him as brilliant, inventive, and multitalented,' and our thoughts are with Kate, Darcey, and Billy.' Mr Draper was 'a big character,' according to Alastair Campbell, a fellow influential New Labour figure of the 1990s. Mr Draper (left); with Labour colleagues Neil Kinnock, John Prescott, and Peter Mandelson in the early 1990s (top right); with his wife during her time on I'm a Celebrity in 2019.

Jonathan Powell, the former prime minister, was told by his chief of staff, that the then-deputy prime minister had no job and that he had no job.' And he does not like the fact that other ministers are able to answer questions that he cannot answer in the House.' He warned that if Mr Prescott were to Parliament for the Cabinet Office, he would also meddle in it,' which could result in at least one aide leaving government.

Since being moved to Channel 4 six years ago, the Great British Bake Off has had the worst ratings decline since being on Channel 4 six years ago. Matty was crowned the champion after beating out opponents Josh and Dan on Tuesday night's show. However, only 4.38 million viewers tuned in to watch the moment, down from 5.1 million last year.

Neil Darbyshire of Canada flies on Crystal Serenity's first outing since her extensive refurbishment. The ship's guest capacity has been reduced to 740 passengers, which'gives the common areas, lounges, and restaurants a sense of space and lines are non-existent.' The accommodation is bright and subtle, with careful attention to detail,' He says.

As she was asked about Sir Keir Starmer's friendship with Labour Leader Angela Rayner, she said she denied him. Labour's deputy leader said Labour will bring "a team" into government if it wins the next general election. Ms Rayner also spoke of becoming deputy prime minister under Sir Keir if Labour is successful, comparing their ties to 'an arranged marriage'. Ms Rayner is expected to miss some of her shadow cabinet positions as Sir Keir conducts a post-election reshuffle of his top team, according to sources. According to other sources, Labour deputy leader Ed Miliband may have been sent to the levelling up brief as part of a multi-national portfolio. This has been likened to Lord Prescott's time as the party's last deputy Prime Minister under Sir Tony's leadership. Nevertheless, Ms Rayner's comparison of her relationship with Sir Keir, which has historically been tense, has been dismissed by the Blair/Prescott team this morning.