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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Prescott's hope for Europe role | Prescott's hope for Europe role |
| (about 8 hours later) | |
| Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott is stepping down from his frontbench job after 10 years. | Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott is stepping down from his frontbench job after 10 years. |
| The Hull East MP's departure coincides with Prime Minister Tony Blair handing power to Gordon Brown after Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday. | The Hull East MP's departure coincides with Prime Minister Tony Blair handing power to Gordon Brown after Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday. |
| Unlike Mr Blair, he will remain an MP, but is hoping to take up an unpaid role on the Council of Europe, which promotes human rights and freedoms. | Unlike Mr Blair, he will remain an MP, but is hoping to take up an unpaid role on the Council of Europe, which promotes human rights and freedoms. |
| His job as deputy leader of the Labour Party has been taken by Harriet Harman. | His job as deputy leader of the Labour Party has been taken by Harriet Harman. |
| She was also given the role of Labour Party chairman, previously held by her deputy leadership rival Hazel Blears. | She was also given the role of Labour Party chairman, previously held by her deputy leadership rival Hazel Blears. |
| Pride | Pride |
| The BBC understands it is unlikely Mr Brown will appoint a deputy prime minister to replace Mr Prescott, with his responsibilities being given to another member of the Cabinet. | The BBC understands it is unlikely Mr Brown will appoint a deputy prime minister to replace Mr Prescott, with his responsibilities being given to another member of the Cabinet. |
| When Mr Prescott announced his resignation in May, he said he was "extremely proud to have belonged to this government". | When Mr Prescott announced his resignation in May, he said he was "extremely proud to have belonged to this government". |
| MPs said he told a private meeting on the Parliamentary Labour Party of his intentions regarding the Council of Europe on Monday. | |
| The position of leader of the British delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the council is currently held by Labour MP Tony Lloyd, who is stepping down. | |
| If he is successful, it will be Mr Prescott's second stint on the council as he served on it between 1972 and 1975. | If he is successful, it will be Mr Prescott's second stint on the council as he served on it between 1972 and 1975. |
| At last year's Labour conference, Mr Prescott apologised for letting the party down, following controversies over an affair with his diary secretary, and receiving hospitality from a US tycoon. | At last year's Labour conference, Mr Prescott apologised for letting the party down, following controversies over an affair with his diary secretary, and receiving hospitality from a US tycoon. |