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Tim Iredale
Political editor, Yorkshire & Lincolnshire
Labour leader describes Prescott as 'unstoppable force'
Lord Prescott has been described as an "unstoppable force" by the Labour leader Ed Miliband
The Labour leader Ed Miliband has expressed his support for John Prescott's bid to become Labour's candidate for Police and Crime Commissioner in Humberside.
Launching his campaign in Hull, Lord Prescott said: "I feel that after proudly serving as a local MP for 40 years and as a cabinet minister for 10 years, I have the experience to listen to the public and help be their strong voice in supporting the police and holding them to account."
Although he did not formally endorse John Prescott's bid, the Labour leader paid tribute to the former Deputy Prime Minister.
In an interview for the Sunday Politics in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, Ed Miliband said: "As always in these things, we are going to have a vote in the Labour Party as to who the best candidates are for police commissioner.
"But John Prescott is an unstoppable force and I'm sure he'd be a great police commissioner."
'Plenty of fight'Elections for the new commissioners in 41 police force areas across England and Wales will take place in November, when the current police authorities will be scrapped.
“Start Quote
End Quote Ed Miliband Labour LeaderJohn Prescott is an unstoppable force”
They will have the power to hire and fire chief constables, hold them to account and set the force's budget.
Humberside's Police and Crime Commissioner is expected to earn an annual salary of £75,000.
Reaction to John Prescott's decision to stand for the post was mixed on the streets of Hull.
"He's got plenty of fight in him"...was how one woman reacted to the news.
References to the infamous punch - thrown at an egg-throwing protestor in 2001 - continue to dog the man formally known as Baron Prescott of Kingston-upon-Hull.
The Labour nomination for Humberside's Police and Crime Commissioner will also be contested by Colin Inglis, a former leader of Hull City Council, and Keith Hunter, a former chief superintendent with Humberside Police.
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Comment number 1.
RW4914th February 2012 - 17:32
Unstoppable alright! The 'Pathfinder' general, the man with the wrecking ball who demolished far more houses than he ever got built. He's blind to the errors of the past, so don't expect much joy for the future.
Link to this (Comment number 1)
Comment number 2.
OnTopic14th February 2012 - 22:25
All bluster and blunder?
Ah! I know, if he gets the job perhaps he can sort out something his political party failed to sort out. Milliband too - try the death of Christopher Alder @ Queen's Gardens Police Station in the early hours of 1st April 1998. IPCC report was not worth the paper printed on but what did they and New Labour do after IPCC were exposed?
.
Under the carpet by any chance!
Link to this (Comment number 2)
Comment number 3.
Alan15th February 2012 - 8:52
Prescott a 'driving force'? Waste of space, more like. Sucked up to unions and senior poiliticians to maintain his safe Labour seat and to ensure his nest was nicely feathered - not to mention the assurance of him joining his mates on the Lords gravy train.
Not surprising Milliband gives his support - they are cut from the same cloth.
Link to this (Comment number 3)
Comment number 4.
ciconia15th February 2012 - 12:24
You couldn't make this stuff up.
One failed politician being touted by another for yet another place at the trough. Is there nothing these people won't do for position and pies?
Or is it just a Labour plan to discredit elected police commissioners?
Link to this (Comment number 4)
Comment number 5.
Wyrdtimes16th February 2012 - 11:44
What a shame Prescott isn't an 'unstoppable force' in his own country - Wales, instead of in the England he so obviously despises.
Link to this (Comment number 5)
Comments 5 of 6