Britain’s former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, known for his work on the Kyoto Protocol climate change agreement in 1997, among other things, has died in a care home at the age of 86, his family said Thursday.

“We are deeply saddened to inform you that our beloved husband, father and grandfather, John Prescott, passed away yesterday (Wednesday) at the age of 86,” the statement said. The statement was included.

The family said Prescott “spent his life trying to improve the lives of others, fighting for social justice and protecting the environment.”

Prescott served as Tony Blair’s deputy prime minister from 1997 to 2007 and is credited with helping move Blair’s left-wing Labor Party to the political centre, using his working-class credentials to appease far-left elements.

He was later elected peer for life and appointed to the House of Lords, the upper house of Parliament; He gave up his position in July due to health problems due to a stroke five years ago as well as Alzheimer’s disease.

‘Two Jags’ – and ‘two jags’

Welsh-born Prescott initially worked as a ship’s steward and union activist; His second career led him to enter politics.

An amateur boxer in his youth, he was known for his combative character and once punched a man who threw an egg at him in North Wales during the 2001 general election.

Due to this incident, his nickname “two Jags”, referring to his ownership of two luxury Jaguar cars, was optionally changed to “two jabs”.

On the domestic political front he was seen as a mediator between Blair and finance minister Gordon Brown.

In a 2007 letter to Prescott, Blair said he viewed his deputy’s role as “moderating colleagues, sorting out colleagues and solving problems.”

“Prescott’s utterly unique blend of charm and ferocity… helped get me through this decade, kept the government together, and above all else, gave me great fun. I was lucky to have you as my deputy,” Blair wrote.

In a statement to the BBC, Blair said he was “devastated” by Prescott’s death and paid an emotional tribute.

“He was one of the most talented people I have ever encountered in politics, one of the most determined and loyal people, and certainly one of the most extraordinary people,” Blair said.

climate negotiations

Prescott was also widely praised for his role leading negotiations on behalf of Britain for the 1997 international Kyoto Protocol on climate change, where he worked closely with former US vice president and prominent environmentalist Al Gore.

Upon learning of Prescott’s death, Gore said he would “be forever grateful for (Prescott’s) commitment to solving the climate crisis.”

“He fought like hell to negotiate the Kyoto Protocol and has been a staunch advocate of climate action for decades,” he said in a statement.

Blair’s successor as prime minister, Gordon Brown, called Prescott “huge” and “the titan of the Labor movement”.

He said Prescott was “probably the first government minister to understand the importance of the environment” and said the 1997 Kyoto agreement was largely due to “John’s hard work with Al Gore”.

John Prescott is survived by his wife Pauline and sons Johnathan and David.

tj/sms (Reuters, AFP, AP)