Following resignation, Prescott asks "Lord Who?"

Ananova ^ | March 18, 2003 | Ananova

[MadIvan]

John Prescott has responded to the resignation of Lord Hunt from the Government by saying he doesn't know who he is.

The Junior Health Minister called the BBC to announce his decision to quit over military action against Iraq.

But the Deputy Prime Minister dismissed the news when questioned.

Mr Prescott said: "We have heard from Lord Hunt, who apparently rang the Today programme up to tell them he is going to resign. I don't know who Lord Hunt is, he is obviously a minister of Government ... I'm sorry for my ignorance."

Lord Hunt from Kings Heath has been a junior minister for almost four years, and has also served as a Government whip.

Mr Prescott was similarly dismissive of the Nottingham North Labour MP Graham Allen, a former Government whip who has been among the most vocal critics of the Government's policy on Iraq.

"This is a man who was a gamekeeper who has turned poacher ... MPs are bigger than whips, they will make their decisions whatever the pressures are," said Mr Prescott.

[MadIvan]

Prescott is noted for his blunders, but this one is an effective blunder - he basically pointed out that Lord Hunt is a nobody in the government, and his resignation means very little.

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

Bump!

[JohnHuang2]

But who's Lord Hunt? hehe

[Happygal]

*L* Prescott is not the only one. I read about this today and the first thing crossed my mind was 'Who?'

BTW...Ivan, Blair is getting a lot of positive radio coverage on this side of the pond this morning. People are ringing up and stressing how they believe in Blair's complete sincerity.

[libertylover]

Say, Ivan. Just how many Lords are there in British government? Is one expected to know them all?

[MadIvan]

I follow politics closely, and I had no idea who this bloke was. There are a few Lords in the Government; they're usually no-hopers who couldn't win a seat in the Commons, but wanted a government job anyway.

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

BTW...Ivan, Blair is getting a lot of positive radio coverage on this side of the pond this morning. People are ringing up and stressing how they believe in Blair's complete sincerity.

Darling, that's excellent; I do believe Blair is sincere on this. Cook must be feeling very lonely right now. His calculated risk has backfired already.

Love, Ivan

[Happygal]

You mean this guy wasn't even elected?

[MadIvan]

You mean this guy wasn't even elected?

No. His title indicates he was either hereditary or a life peer, and Blair brought him into government. For some reason. He sits in the Lords, not the Commons.

Love, Ivan

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

Sounds like a win for the UK.

From this side of the pond, I was hoping that the war would also run all of the remaining Clintonroids out of the government, but it doesn't look like it.

[Happygal]

Oh, I didn't realise that a Lord would have any job in the House of Commons.

Like the Dail and Seanaid in Ireland. Two houses of Government, but completely seperate roles.

[MadIvan]

No, the Lord has a job in government; he'll answer questions about his job in the Lords. A commentator once said however, that the difference between the Commons and the Lords is the difference between the animals and the vegetables. ;)

Love, Ivan

[lainde]

Bump for later read. My prayers with our President and Prime Minister Blair