John Prescott was an old-style political bruiser who played a vital role in the New Labour project. He scorned what he called "the beautiful people" - the men in smart suits with red roses and mobile phones who became the new face of Labour.

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.

Although it is a cliche to call someone a giant of their profession, it is an apt description of Lord John Prescott, who has died at the age of 86.