Lord Prescott has criticised political advisers and the media for fuelling "a panic" in the Labour leadership contest.

The former deputy prime minister urged the party to "speak to the people in a language they understand" - and focus on policies, not people.

Lord Prescott said leftist candidate Jeremy Corbyn was doing well in the race because people knew where he stood.

He launched a scathing attack on long-time boss Tony Blair's "totally unacceptable" warning of the dangers of a lurch to the left with a suggestion that anyone preparing to vote "with their heart" for Mr Corbyn should get a transplant.

"I found that absolutely staggering. To use that kind of language is just abuse," Lord Prescott told Today.

He urged his Labour colleagues to "calm down" - before going on to attack Harriet Harman, Ed Miliband, David Miliband, Margaret Beckett, Alistair Campbell, Chuka Umunna, Tristram Hunt, Jeremy Corbyn and former Tony Blair advisor John McTernan.