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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Prescott says Today 'depressing' | Prescott says Today 'depressing' |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| John Prescott has criticised the "depressing" tone of the news on BBC Radio 4's flagship Today programme. | John Prescott has criticised the "depressing" tone of the news on BBC Radio 4's flagship Today programme. |
| Asked about his views on the Corfu donation row, the former deputy prime minister accused the programme of always seeing the glass "half empty". | Asked about his views on the Corfu donation row, the former deputy prime minister accused the programme of always seeing the glass "half empty". |
| "You are always predicting the misery of the end of the world," he told the programme's presenters. | "You are always predicting the misery of the end of the world," he told the programme's presenters. |
| Mr Prescott was on Today to talk about his new BBC television programme about the class system. | Mr Prescott was on Today to talk about his new BBC television programme about the class system. |
| 'Half empty' | 'Half empty' |
| Mr Prescott, a regular on the Today programme over the years, said it was a "programme of depression at the moment". | Mr Prescott, a regular on the Today programme over the years, said it was a "programme of depression at the moment". |
| Speaking on a morning where stock markets fell sharply again across the world, he said: "If the glass is half full or half empty, you will get the half empty. | Speaking on a morning where stock markets fell sharply again across the world, he said: "If the glass is half full or half empty, you will get the half empty. |
| "When you listen to your programme you are always predicting the misery of the end of the world." | "When you listen to your programme you are always predicting the misery of the end of the world." |
| FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME Evan Davis' blog | FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME Evan Davis' blog |
| The BBC had been "wrong" about the threat to Gordon Brown's leadership, Mr Prescott said, although he did not elaborate on the media's coverage of the so-called 'Yachtgate' affair. | The BBC had been "wrong" about the threat to Gordon Brown's leadership, Mr Prescott said, although he did not elaborate on the media's coverage of the so-called 'Yachtgate' affair. |
| But he added: "You have been bloody wrong all the time and you will be wrong again." | But he added: "You have been bloody wrong all the time and you will be wrong again." |
| Talking about his programme, Mr Prescott said the large number of privately-educated people in top jobs in professions such as the law and media showed the influence of class on British society. | Talking about his programme, Mr Prescott said the large number of privately-educated people in top jobs in professions such as the law and media showed the influence of class on British society. |
| Cherie | |
| "You are not only buying a privileged education, you are buying an access to a network and privilege," he said of those going to fee-paying schools. | "You are not only buying a privileged education, you are buying an access to a network and privilege," he said of those going to fee-paying schools. |
| "They are the top of the pyramid. That's called class." | "They are the top of the pyramid. That's called class." |
| Look, I regret the remark. It was in a light banter. She did a remarkable job, there's no doubt about it John Prescott | |
| Mr Prescott said his rise to the top of government showed there was social mobility in the UK but he said "full equality" would take a "long time". | Mr Prescott said his rise to the top of government showed there was social mobility in the UK but he said "full equality" would take a "long time". |
| Mr Prescott also expressed regret for saying that he disliked Cherie Blair in the programme. He said that despite a decade working alongside Tony Blair in government, he was not sure that he ever really knew Mrs Blair. | |
| "Look, I regret the remark. It was in a light banter. She did a remarkable job, there's no doubt about it," he said. | |
| "It's very difficult for women who are married to prime ministers or even deputy prime ministers, having to adjust to that. I regret that remark. | |
| "After all, I don't know whether I knew her. I had some disputes from time to time. I don't know whether we liked each other but it's not national news." |