Veteran Labour politician and trade unionist who served as deputy prime minister under Tony Blair for 10 years

The career path of John Prescott, from steward on ocean-going liners to Britain’s longest serving deputy prime minister – for 10 years from 1997 – was a triumph of determination and doggedness. Prescott, who has died aged 86, was the son of working-class parents, left school at 15 and ended up with a life peerage.

During 40 years as an MP for Kingston upon Hull East he saw himself as an embodiment of blunt and enduring Labour values. The leaders he loyally served – Tony Blair and Gordon Brown – capitalised on his roots by contrast to their middle-class backgrounds.