The charismatic deputy prime minister, who has died at the age of 86, was known best for punching a member of the electorate and acting as a vital bridge for Tony Blair to reach the unions

John Prescott, Britain's longest-serving deputy prime minister who died on Wednesday, was indispensable to Tony Blair's New Labour government, a working-class trailblazer who connected with the public in ways most politicians cannot.

John Prescott, deputy prime minister to Britain’s Tony Blair during his 10 years in government, has died aged 86 after a battle with Alzheimer’s, his family said on Thursday.