Tony Blair pays tribute to 'guardian' of Labour Party John Prescott at funeral

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair speaking astatine the ceremonial of his erstwhile lawman John Prescott described his achievements arsenic "extraordinary".

Blair, who was among ministers past and contiguous astatine Hull Minster connected Thursday for Lord Prescott's funeral, gave a eulogy astatine the service.

Blair began his tribute by describing Lord Prescott arsenic a "complicated man, wrestling often with the tangle of ambition and altruism".

"He possessed heavy principles, but was besides determined to marque his mark."

Lord Prescott, who served arsenic lawman premier curate betwixt 1997 and 2007, died connected 20 November, aged 86. He had been successful a attraction location surviving with Alzheimer's disease.

Those paying their respects astatine Thursday's work included Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, erstwhile Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and London politician Sir Sadiq Khan.

Lord Prescott's coffin was carried into the minster arsenic erstwhile Downing Street manager of communications Alastair Campbell played the Welsh nationalist anthem connected the bagpipes.

Blair said: "His achievements were extraordinary.

"He was indispensable successful designing the large law reforms of our government, the Scottish parliament, the Welsh assembly and the archetypal elected politician of London.

"He pioneered the thought of an integrated transport system. Throw him a occupation and helium would supply a solution.

"There is not 1 of america who thinks of John without a smile."

Other eulogies were delivered, including by Lord Prescott's son, David, who said: "He taught maine the value of lifting radical up and not putting radical down."

Brown said: "For 60 years, this large metropolis of Hull was his home. He served it with pride, passionateness and principle."

The erstwhile premier curate added: "We volition ne'er spot his similar again. A antheral of the radical helium surely was. In a people by himself, a one-off, 1 of a kind, but 1 of america successful the champion consciousness of the word."

The service, hosted by the Rev Canon Dominic Black, included singing by the Choral-Hull children's choir, made up from pupils crossed the city.

Lord Prescott was archetypal elected arsenic MP for Hull East successful 1970 and went connected to clasp the spot for astir 40 years.

In lieu of flowers, the Prescott household requested donations for Alzheimer's Research UK.