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John Prescott has lashed out at Tony Blair for his 'totally unacceptable abuse' of Jeremy Corbyn.

Mr Blair's former deputy made the surprise attack on national radio this morning after his former boss denounced the left-winger for making the party unelectable.

In a stinging public attack yesterday, the ex-PM said people whose hearts were with Mr Corbyn should 'get a transplant'.

But today his ex-deputy said: "The Labour Party is about the heart as well as the head".

The row erupted after a shock YouGov poll named Mr Corbyn as the runaway favourite on 43% - compared to just 26% for Andy Burnham.

Sunday Mirror columnist Lord Prescott told BBC Radio 4's Today programme Mr Blair's comments were 'totally unacceptable'.

(Image: BBC)

He added: "I found that absolutely staggering. I have a lot of respect for Tony Blair and I worked for him for many years, but to use that kind of language is just abuse.

"To suggest somebody should have a transplant if they are making decisions by the heart is totally unacceptable."

He rejected claims that it would be a "disaster" for Labour if Mr Corbyn became leader and said it was the Iraq invasion that undermined support for the party.

"Tony, on the doorstep it was Iraq that stopped a lot of people voting for us," he said.

And he added the former premier "should think about the reasons" why support for the party had fallen.

(Image: Getty / WENN / MEN)

Lord Prescott also hit out at ex-Blair aide John McTernan, who said party members should unite behind an 'Anyone But Corbyn' candidate.

"Speak to the people in the language they understand," he stormed. "Get back to policy. Stop these advisors who are causing all the abuse between the candidates.

"Who the heck is John McTernan? He advised in Scotland - we lost.

"He has no authority. Morons. Stop this abuse. Let's calm down. Let's think about policies.

"And that's why Jeremy is doing so well - they know where he stands."

(Image: Photoshot)

He also attacked Harriet Harman for backing the Tories' child tax credits limit to children - saying as acting leader 'she didn't have the authority to do it, frankly'.

Jeremy Corbyn had already slapped down Mr Blair's 'silly' attack yesterday by declaring he 'led us into a disastrous illegal war'.

"I think Tony Blair's big problem is we're still awaiting the Chilcot report to come out," he added.

"Tony is entitled to his own opinions. I have many analyses of Tony Blair's leadership.

"Yes we did win the 1997 election. We lost support consistently after that and he led us into a disastrous illegal war."

Jeremy Corbyn storms ahead in first public poll YouGov/The Times, 21/7/15