Under-fire Prescott gives up mansion
He said he had made the decision because controversy over the residence was “getting in the way” of his role in government.
But Conservatives said the British public was not interested in where Mr Prescott lived but in failings of the health service and benefits system, dismissing the move as “trivial”.
Mr Prescott said: “Like other cabinet ministers before me, I have used Dorneywood as a place to stay, to relax and to work.
“But I am well aware that my use of it is now a subject of public controversy and criticism.
“I have accepted that my continued use of Dorneywood is getting in the way of doing my job.
“I have told the prime minister that it is my personal decision that I no longer want to be the official resident. He has accepted this decision.
“I will continue to focus on the role the prime minister has given me of coordinating policy work across government along with the other responsibilities that he has given me, nationally and internationally, so we can better deliver the manifesto on which we were elected a year ago.”
Mr Prescott will hope the move will deflect weeks of criticism that began with revelations of his affair with secretary Tracey Temple.
He was stripped of his department in Tony Blair’s reshuffle on May 5 but retained his ministerial salary, and perks including Dorneywood and his flat in Admiralty House — the scene of his affair.
The clamour for Mr Prescott to quit the estate increased at the weekend when he was photographed playing croquet on the lawn of Dorneywood with staff.
The Conservatives have accused him of retaining perks while “seemingly doing very little”.
At prime minister’s questions last week Mr Blair was asked if he had asked Mr Prescott to give up Dorneywood. Mr Blair replied then: “I have no intention whatever of discussing the reshuffle or matters associated with it.”
Last night, Labour MP Stephen Pound told BBC News it was a “dignified statement” but added: “I think he could have done it a week or so ago.”
Conservative party chairman Francis Maude clamed Mr Prescott is “deeply damaged goods now”. “This is a government that’s past its sell-by date. John Prescott is past his sell-by date some time ago,” he said.
