Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
FORMER BRITISH DEPUTY Prime Minister John Prescott has been admitted to hospital after suffering a stroke.
Prescott served as deputy Prime Minister to Tony Blair between the years of 1997 and 2007.
His family announced in a statement today that the 81-year-old was taken to hospital last Friday following the stroke.
In the statement, his family said Prescott is receiving “excellent care from the NHS”.
“We would like to praise the swift actions of the ambulance staff and the doctors and nurses at Hull Royal Infirmary’s A&E and stroke unit,” the family said.
“They have been remarkable and we cannot thank them enough.”
The family has also called for privacy as Prescott makes a recovery: “We would respectfully request at this time that John and our family are given the privacy we need so that he can have the time and space to make a full recovery. Thank you.”
Following the news of Prescott’s illness politicians in the UK have sent their best wishes.
“My thoughts are with John, Pauline and all the family. Hope very much that he gets better soon,” former Prime Minister Tony Blair said.
Shadow chancellor John McDonnell told BBC Politics Live: “I want to send my best wishes to John and my love to all his family.
“I think right across the Labour and trade union movements, even I think a lot of his opponents, will be wishing him a speedy recovery.”
Meanwhile, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said his thoughts are with his “good friend John and his family and friends at this difficult time”.
“I hope he makes a full and speedy recovery. I’d like to thank the paramedics and hard-working staff at Hull Royal Infirmary.”
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Glad to see the folks are back to work though.
“I can see Clearys now the rain has gone”
Great to see a Dublin landmark reopen well done clearys
There are some things that become landmarks in your life.
One of mine was a visit to Santa in Clerys back in the 1930s.
I got a blue telescope.
The only Santa’s grotto to visit in Dublin just remember the excitement of going and the sheer delight of the whole grotto it was truly magical and a day off school to boot and a trip on the number 3 from Whitehall had to be upstairs at the front thanks Santa
Nope, that would be Arnotts.
No charge, no rush, entertainment & refreshments all day long & Santa looks the same in every year’s photo (beard is real too)
Good to see.
ThE heart has been pulled out of the city centre the last decade with monuments to the social insecure like Dundrum S.C. being built.
Lets hope the american owners of clerys spend their remaining couple of years re buildimg the clerys experience before they inevitably cash in their inverstment?
Who will be running clerys by 2016?
Paddy McKillen? John Lewis? House of Frasier?
John Lewis bought a large site on the other side of the street.
Who cares?
Boo!
You obviously cared enough to comment.
Happy red thumb day to you, sir!
The people who work there do. The people who like to shop there do.
The people who work there for a start.
Lovely to see Cleary’s back, O’Connell Street was just not the same without it. Best wishes to all involved especially the wonderfull staff, you were missed. Looking forward to dropping in later.
*GASP*! They’re named like my name!
Hurrah!
They might be able to pay back some of their creditors then?
They’re on the wrong side of the street in fairness. That side of O’Connell street is mainly full of druggies hanging around these days.
I have heard the whole of OConnell street is a no go area now with druggies and beggers. No law or order on the streets and getting very dangerous day and night on our capital’s main street
To a non-Dub who’s never set foot in the place, what exactly is the main draw of Cleary’s? One of those places I’ve heard about but don’t know about.
Would you believe I’m the same? Not a clue!
You mean you never saw Clearys christmas window?
Half of Dublin must have visited Santa in Cleary’s. I remember the excitement standing in line to meet the main man. Then there’s Cleary’s clock, the place to meet your date. I arranged to meet a cousin there one time… she was late, so I had to put up with lads wandering past, chanting “Stood up, stood up!” I was a divil for the Cleary’s sales in me day, now I’m poor and shop in Pennys. But it’s good to see it up and running again.
It’s CLERYS not Clearys
My mom went shopping for Christmas every year on December 8th in Cleary,s went on the train from Wexford.we had many toys and PJ,s from that lovely Store. Also had many a date there.
Clerys was designed in 1918 following destruction in 1916 – not 1853. That was the original Delany’s New Mart ‘Monster Store’.
have your say