Lord Prescott has joined the Sunday Mirror as its new columnist – with the paper promising the combative former deputy prime minister will “pull no punches”.
Prescott, Labour MP for Hull East from 1970-10 and now a life peer at the House of Lords, said:
I know the power of good, campaigning journalism. Pauline and I have read the Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror for decades so I’m honoured to be given the chance to talk with the readers every week.
I want to use the column to talk to people of all ages and be their voice on the issues that matter. I want them to tell me what they're passionate about, what makes them angry. What are their priorities?
I might put a few backs up, but after 40 years in politics I like think people know I tell it like it is – even among the Tories.
Lloyd Embley, editor-in-chief of the Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror, said:
John is a colourful character who has been right at the heart of British politics for over 40 years.
Importantly, he is a Mirror man through and through so his political insight and sensitivity coupled with his no nonsense approach will resonate well with our readers.
The paper said it wants readers to send in comments and suggest story ideas to Prescott by email or tweeting him at @johnprescott.
Prescott has more than 165,000 followers on Twitter and last year was named Politics Home’s Political Tweeter of the Year.
His first column appears this weekend.
Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog