Prescott to quit within a year
28/09/2006 14:55  - (SA)  

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Manchester - Deputy prime minister John Prescott will leave office within a year, he told his governing Labour Party on Thursday.

Prescott, who had been widely expected to resign whenever Prime Minister Tony Blair does, said in a speech closing Labour's conference that the annual meeting would be his last.

Blair said the same on September 7 under heavy pressure from within the party to announce his resignation plans.

Prescott thanked delegates for their support and apologised for the embarrassment he has caused the party recently.

A tabloid newspaper printed photos in April of him carousing with a civil servant, and he acknowledged having an extramarital affair with her.

"This party has given me everything and I've tried to give it everything I've got," he said.

"I know in the last year I let myself down, I let you down. ... I just want to say sorry."

He did not set a specific departure date but is likely to leave office whenever Blair does.

- AP

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