Former deputy prime minister John Prescott has been admitted to hospital after suffering a stroke, his family says.

The 81-year-old was taken to hospital in Hull last Friday and is receiving "excellent care" from the NHS.

"We would like to praise the swift actions of the ambulance staff and the doctors and nurses at Hull Royal Infirmary's A&E and stroke unit", the family said in a statement.

"They have been remarkable and we cannot thank them enough.

"He is receiving excellent care from the NHS but we would respectfully request at this time that John and our family are given the privacy we need so that he can have the time and space to make a full recovery."


Image: Former deputy PM John Prescott (L) walks with former British PM Tony Blair on Downing Street in 2004

The Labour politician, who was born in Wales, served as Tony Blair's deputy prime minister for 10 years following Labour's 1997 general election landslide.

Throughout that time, the former trade union activist acted as a conciliator in the often turbulent relationship between Mr Blair and chancellor Gordon Brown.

Lord Prescott also served as the MP for Hull East from 1970 until his retirement in 2010.

It was announced in 2015 that he was making a return to politics as a special adviser to then-Labour leader Ed Miliband.

Following the news of his stroke, MPs wished Mr Prescott a speedy recovery on social media.

Mr Blair said: "My thoughts are with John, Pauline and all the family. Hoping very much that he gets better soon."

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: "My thoughts are with my good friend John and his family and friends at this difficult time.

"I hope he makes a full and speedy recovery and, on behalf of the Labour Party, I would like to thank our hard-working NHS staff at Hull Royal Infirmary."

A statement from the family of John Prescott. pic.twitter.com/0wgCNYn0ZV — John Prescott (@johnprescott) June 24, 2019

John McDonnell, shadow chancellor, said: "John's a good friend and this is really sad news. I want to send all my best wishes to John and his family."

He added that Lord Prescott's "traditional opponents" would also be wishing him a speedy recovery.

Angela Eagle, MP for Wallasey, said: "My first boss in government - get well soon John."

Wes Streeting, Labour MP for Ilford North and member of the Treasury Committee, said: "Wishing John well - and looking forward to him being back in the tea room giving me a ticking off again soon!"

Anna Turley, MP for Redcar, said: "Sad to hear this - wishing John well."

"I'm hoping he'll be back with us, working hard soon."



Shadow chancellor John McDonnell reacts to news that Lord Prescott is in hospital after suffering a stroke.



More on this story here: https://t.co/TsT57EZTfe pic.twitter.com/ClIyZSoIWz — Sky News (@SkyNews) June 24, 2019

Andrew Gwynne, Labour MP for Denton and Reddish and shadow secretary of state, said: "Hoping for a speedy recovery. Take care John."

Lord Prescott has been critical in recent years of elements of New Labour's legacy despite being a supporter of Mr Blair in office.

He has denounced Britain's involvement in the Iraq War and has defended Mr Corbyn against other faces from the New Labour era.

For years he was known as "Two Jags" because he had two Jaguars and was criticised by environmentalists for using a ministerial car to travel 250m to a party meeting.

Lord Prescott entered the House of Lords in 2010 and defended his decision to accept a peerage by saying he would be able to campaign for social justice and the environment. He had reportedly previously said he would not go into the Lords.

Before he stood down in 2007, he spent eight days in hospital being treated for pneumonia after falling ill on a train to London from his constituency in Hull.

In 2002 it was disclosed he had Type 2 diabetes but was said to be able to live a "perfectly normal life" with medication.