The former deputy prime minister John Prescott has dismissed the shadow business secretary, Chuka Umunna, as “Chumbawamba” at a Labour party conference event.

Lord Prescott made the remark during an interview with the comedian Matt Forde at the Comedy Store in Manchester, after he was asked how he viewed modern Labour politicians such as the Streatham MP.

Forde asked: “Do you find it difficult? … when you are watching people do speeches, like … Chuka Umunna?”

Prescott replied: “They can call him Chumbawamba.” He also quipped that water was now in fashion.

The Labour MP was drenched by anti-establishment band Chumbawamba at the 1998 Brit awards when they poured a bucket of ice-cold water on him.

When the group announced their split in 2012, Prescott expressed his delight on Twitter.

He wrote “Chumbawho?” and said he would mark the moment by going to buy their greatest hits album.

The wide-ranging interview also covered topics like the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the threat of Islamic State and the infamous punch in 2001 when he lashed out after being hit in the face with an egg.