BREAKING: Labour titan John Prescott's funeral begins as Keir Starmer leads tributes

Keir Starmer has led tributes to the Labour titan and former Deputy PM John Prescott as political heavyweights were seen arriving at his funeral service. Lord Prescott - a Labour MP for four decades - died peacefully at the age of 86 at a care home in November where he had been living with Alzheimer's. The former trade union activist served as Tony Blair's Deputy Prime Minister from Labour's historic landslide election victory in 1997 until 2007.

He was known to have acted as a “marriage counsellor” for his mediating role between Sir Tony and his then Chancellor Gordon Brown, who became PM in 2007. More than 300 family members, friends and former colleagues from the Labour movement have been invited to the service at Hull Minster. Keir Starmer said Lord Prescott "changed our nation for the better" as he said the service on Thursday was a day "to give thanks for a remarkable life well lived".



The PM said: "John Prescott's funeral is a moment to reflect on his legacy alongside those that loved him most. Since his death, I have been moved to hear countless people relate their stories of John - tales of characteristic generosity, humour and charisma. Be the first with news from Mirror Politics BLUESKY: Follow our Mirror Politics account on Bluesky here .

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"Amongst the public, it's clear that he had legendary status. He was held in huge affection by people across the country who admired his straightforward authenticity and knew that he would always have their back." Referring to the 2001 incident of Lord Prescott throwing a punch at a protester who threw an egg at him, the PM added: "His place in our history is assured - not, as he expected, for that one famous moment, but for his fighting spirit across an entire lifetime of service.

"He will be remembered as a man who stood up for working people, fought for what he believed in, and changed our nation for the better. "We have his tenacity and vision to thank for that early action on climate change, regional inequality, the minimum wage, and public transport. This is a day to give thanks for a remarkable life well lived.

I know many people will be raising a glass to John today." In November Sir Tony described his former colleague as one of the most talented people I ever encountered in politics" and "one of the most committed and loyal, and definitely the most unusual". Mr Brown added at the time that Lord Prescott was "key to holding the ring and keeping things together during difficult times such as over Iraq".

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