Prescott statue refusal 'terribly disappointing'

A Labour MP has said it is "terribly disappointing" that plans for a memorial statue in Hull to honour the late Lord John Prescott have been refused by the city council.

Karl Turner, Lord Prescott's successor in the Hull East seat, said he would sign a petition by Hull's Labour councillors that demands the Lib Dem-controlled council reverses its decision.

Lord Prescott, a former deputy prime minister, deputy Labour leader and member of the House of Lords, died on 20 November last year.

Plans for a memorial statue in the city were rejected at a meeting on Thursday, following concerns about funding.

Councillor Julia Conner raised the motion for the statue, but the plans were rejected after a 26-26 tied vote. Lord Mayor Cheryl Payne cast the deciding vote.

Turner said: "The money was going to be a tiny amount of money from the leader's fund, probably £1,000 would have done it. The rest of the money would have come in from donations and good will gestures and charitable giving from members of the public."

He added: "I've got businesses who are prepared to put fairly substantial amounts of money in because they think to have a tribute to John Prescott is worth having in this city.

"John was a legend, always banging the drum for Hull."

Council leader Mike Ross had voted against the motion and said such a statue would cost "upward of £150,000".

He had questioned whether the public would feel it was "right to spend taxpayers' money on this proposal".

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