Peers cheer for Lord Prescott

John Prescott was greeted by a loud cheer from Labour peers as he was introduced to the House of Lords.

Watched by his wife Pauline, who sat in one of the viewing galleries wearing a black hat, the former deputy prime minister swore his allegiance to the Queen in a traditional ceremony of introduction.

One of three Labour peers to take their seats in the Lords on Thursday, he has taken the official title of Baron Prescott of Kingston-upon-Hull, although he will be known more simply as Lord Prescott.

Dressed in ermine robes, Lord Prescott swore the Oath of Allegiance and signed the code of conduct before receiving a cheer from peers as he shook hands with the Lord Speaker, Baroness Hayman, on his way out of the chamber.

Now that the official ceremony is over, the 72-year-old is free to sit, speak and vote in the Lords. However, it is not known when he will make his maiden speech.

Writing on the website Twitter, he said the new role would enable him to "keep holding this Government to account in Parliament".

He was appointed to the Lords as part of a batch of 56 new peers announced one day after the election.