UK ministers back Blair's deputy, jockey for post

LONDON, June 4 (Reuters) British ministers today said that Prime Minister Tony Blair's scandal-hit deputy John Prescott would keep his job but several lined up to apply for the coveted post in the future.

Prescott's position has been precarious for weeks since he admitted in April to having an affair with his secretary and was photographed playing croquet during working hours.

Prescott has dismissed questions about his political future as ''daft'' and Blair has said he has full confidence in him.

The resignation of Prescott would prompt an election for his successor, which would inevitably put pressure on Blair to step down from his job to allow simultaneous elections for leader and deputy leader of the ruling Labour Party.

Alternatively, an early election for deputy leader could make way for a figure to challenge finance minister Gordon Brown, Blair's presumed successor, for the party leadership.

Blair has said he will not stand in the next election expected in 2009.

Recent bad headlines and poor opinion polls have put pressure on Blair to hand over the leadership to Brown sooner not later.

Many in Labour expect him to stand down mid-next year.

A succession of ministers defended Prescott's role on Sunday but some openly jockeyed for his job.

''People have asked me if, when there is a vacancy, if I'd be interested in that vacancy and I've said quite honestly: Yes, I would,'' Education Secretary Alan Johnson told GMTV's Sunday Programme, becoming the first to open admit his ambitions.

Jack Straw, former foreign secretary and now leader of the government in parliament's lower house, also wants the job, newspapers reported.

Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt insisted on Sunday there was no vacancy but said a woman would be good in the job.

Prescott -- a straight-talking former union boss known for punching a demonstrator who pelted him with an egg in 2001 -- admitted an extramarital affair with a secretary in April.

Blair stripped him of his responsibilities overseeing local government but Prescott held on to a high salary and perks.

But last week Prescott, who stands in for Blair when he is out of the country, gave up a free country mansion after he was photographed playing croquet on its lawn during working hours.

REUTERS SK PM1813