According to this morning’s Times John Prescott was so affronted by Tony Blair's suggestion that he give up Dorneywood that he dug and the PM reneged. He also retained the grace and favour appartment at Admiralty House.
Dorneywood is a nice 21 bedroom house set in 214 acres of Buckinghamshire and is in the 'gift' of the Prime Minister. It was build in 1920 and was gifted to the National Trust in 1947 by Lord Courtauld-Thomson. It has usually been used in the past by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Although Alec Douglas-Home preferred to use it instead of Chequers while Prime Minister.
The six previous holders of the post of Deputy Prime Minister also had some other responsibility either running a department or as Leader of the House of Commons. Since May 5 John Prescott has done neither but still has his £133,000 and official jag.
So what on earth is John Prescott doing to earn all these perks? Why is he still drawing a minsterial salary and occupying two grace and favour residences? Probably because as the Times article indicates the entire reshuffle was a muddle and the PM wasn't entirely sure where he was going with it when he started to embark on it; even as the voters were still making their decision in the English council elections.
Given his background (in terms of radical unionised Labour) Prescott and Dorneywood must surely be the epitome of Orwell's snouts in the trough. The fact that he has apparently no shame about it speaks volumes.
ReplyDeleteWhat? 4 legs good, 2 jags better.
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