BB FANS

Spawn of Blagman · **Joined:** 29 May 04, 1:39 **Posts:** 12297

LONDON (Reuters) - Prime Minister Tony Blair, mired in a sleaze row over his Labour Party's conduct, suffered a new blow on Wednesday when his deputy admitted an affair with a secretary.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott said he regretted the relationship, which ended some time ago. His admission is an embarrassment for Blair ahead of local elections on May 4.

"I have discussed this fully with my wife Pauline who is devastated by the news," Prescott said in a statement. "I would be grateful if Pauline and I can now get on with our lives together."

Blair swept to power in 1997 promising to be "whiter than white" after a string of sleaze allegations damaged the previous Conservative government.

But his Labour Party has been dogged by negative headlines in recent weeks and one newspaper poll put its support at a 19-year low this week.

Blair has been under pressure since last month when Labour said it had received nearly 14 million pounds in loans from 12 businessmen, some of whom were later nominated for seats in the unelected upper house of parliament.

The row over the loans -- which helped bankroll Blair's third straight election victory in 2005 -- comes as the prime minister faces questions about when he will step down, after he declared he would not seek a fourth term.

Prescott is one of the most colourful figures in Blair's cabinet. A former cruise ship steward, he is known for his blunt language and no-nonsense approach to politics.

He made headlines during the 2001 election campaign when he punched an egg-throwing protester.

Spawn of Blagman · **Joined:** 29 May 04, 1:39 **Posts:** 12297

Its nice to see our goverment is being run by moral decent men :-?

Madeline

Now we know why he needed two Jags......

Spawn of Blagman · **Joined:** 29 May 04, 1:39 **Posts:** 12297

Funny how this came out while all attention is on Clark ...or not if your synical like me

Northern Monkey

blagman wrote:

He made headlines during the 2001 election campaign when he punched an egg-throwing protester.

am certainly no advocate of violence in any way, but JP can be forgiven for anything because of this moment. One of my favourite moment in politics (other than Mellor getting voted out to the chants of "OUT OUT OUT" from Goldsmith) and an example of some two bit mullet farmer who thought he could do what he like just because someone was famous.

There's mistakes been made, but I'd trade Britain in 2006 for Britain pre-1997 every time.

trolleydolley

ok, but getting it on with JOHN PRESCOTT!!??

it must be the power....it certainly ain't the looks!

JimD

26 April 2006
Mirror
By Steve Purcell

BLUNT and plain-spoken, John Prescott has been a magnet for controversy since he entered Parliament in 1970 as MP for Hull East, who he still represents.

His passion for expensive cars earned him the nickname Two Jags.

When he punched an egg-thrower in the face, the soubriquet became Two Jabs.

Now, inevitably, John Prescott will be known throughout the country as TWO SHAGS.