Moral High Horse

What do you think of the news that Lord John Prescott copped £40,000 the other day - in a settlement with News International over 'phone hacking' claims.

Now allegedly this was compensation for Lord Prescott having his private life invaded - but what's not clear is what this actually involved.

Did these phone hacking activities apply to the period when Lord Prescott - as plain old JP and deputy Prime Minister - was conducting his clandestine affair with a junior civil servant?  

Because if so I don't see why the 'noble' Lord is being paid a single penny - because in my view he absolutely deserved to be exposed and should - in fact - have been sacked as deputy PM  for abusing the privileges of his high public office.  

And you've got to laugh about JP's privacy being invaded - given that his long-suffering wife published a book about the whole affair - for commercial gain presumably.

I might have had some sympathy - or even admiration - for the old booby had he donated his unexpected windfall to charity - but that doesn't look as if it's on the cards.

Here's what I wrote on the subject back in July 2011 - sadly I suspect that we'll still be hearing from Lord Prescott for some time to come yet.  

Moral High Horse (July 19th 2011)

Sometimes party politics leaves a bad taste in the mouth - well in my mouth anyway.

Like when I hear that old phoney Lord John Prescott on TV - demanding the resignation of senior police officers.

Because this is the same John Prescott (67) who was forced in 2006 to admit to a two-year affair with a junior member of his staff - a young woman almost half his age.

Yet when he was finally exposed Prezza had the gall to ask for privacy - so that he could work things out with his wife - who subsequently wrote a book about the whole tawdry business.

The affair with Tracey Temple was conducted while the old goat was at his work - on official business - and at his 'grace and favour' luxury apartment in Admiralty Arch - which was paid for by the taxpayer of course.

All too predictably the female civil servant's career came to a crashing and sudden end - once the affair came out into the open.

But did Prescott do the honourable thing and fall on his own sword - did he take responsibility for his actions - for humiliating his wife and roundly abusing his high office and public privileges?

No, of course he didn't.

Instead the old sea dog hung on like a limpet - and though he was stripped of most of his official responsibilities - he continued drawing his six figure salary as deputy Prime Minister.

The truth is that John Prescott stayed put and kept his nose firmly planted in the public trough - where it will be for some time - as a 'retired' member of the House of Lords.

So climb down off your moral high horse Lord Prescott - it's not in the least convincing.