Prescott: No conflict in taking peerage
By politics.co.uk staff
John Prescott has defended his decision to accept a peerage, saying he was never opposed to the unelected second chamber.
The former deputy prime minister defended himself against charges of hypocrisy and allegations he had been forced into accepting the peerage by his wife during an interview on Radio 4 yesterday.
He has only been opposed to “flunkery and titles” and hereditary peerages, he said.
Addressing reports that his wife had forced him into accepting the peerage, he said: “I make my own decisions.”
Mr Prescott said he accepted the ennoblement so he could retain influence in Westminster and campaign more effectively on environmental issues.
He is currently fighting to become Labour treasurer.
