Former UK Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott Dies at 86

LONDON: John Prescott, the former British deputy prime minister under Tony Blair, has passed away at the age of 86, his family announced on Thursday.

Prescott, who struggled with Alzheimer’s in recent years, served as deputy prime minister from 1997 to 2007, playing a key role in the Labour government.

Known for his blunt, no-nonsense style, Prescott was a distinctive figure in Blair’s cabinet, bridging the gap between the party’s traditional left-wing roots and its modernizing leadership.