Prescott says sorry and goodbye

MANCHESTER, England Sep 28 (Reuters) John Prescott apologised to the Labour party today for his extra-marital affair this year and confirmed he was making his last speech to the annual conference as deputy prime minister.

''I want to say 'sorry,''' he told delegates. ''This party has given me everything ... now in the last year I have let myself down and I let you down, so conference -- I just want to say 'sorry.''' In April, Prescott, 68, was forced to admit to a long extra-marital affair with his diary secretary Tracey Temple that included sex sessions in his office.

The news prompted several women to come forward and accuse him of sexist behaviour towards them, leading to a string of damaging headlines.

Prescott's wife Pauline, although described at the time as ''devastated,'' has stood by him and joined him on the podium for a standing ovation at the end of his speech.

''This will be my last conference as deputy leader,'' Prescott said but he did not specify a date for stepping down. Political analysts expect him to go at the same time as Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Blair has said he will be gone before next year's conference but he too has yet to name the day. Most analysts are looking to next May although some believe the success of his valedictory speech yesterday may prompt him to stay longer.

Winding up the party conference, Prescott said he would remain a committed Labour campaigner.

''I will not be leaving the political fight,'' he declared. ''I will be swapping my government Jag for (a) bus pass to campaign for Labour,'' he said to cheers from the floor.

Yesterday, Prescott broke rank with his senior colleagues by backing Chancellor Gordon Brown to replace Blair, according to the Times newspaper.

At a party hosted by the Amicus union, he said: ''Make no mistake about it. When it comes to it, Gordon Brown is the man I'm backing.'' Today Prescott appeared to underline that support when he issued a thinly veiled warning to any potential challangers to Brown.

''This party will never forgive anyone who brings disunity,'' he said.

The race to succeed Prescott himself also gathered pace this week when left-leaning MP Jon Cruddas threw his hat into the ring.

Cruddas said he wanted to re-engage many natural Labour supporters who had been alienated by Blair's policies.

Jack Straw, former foreign secretary and now the government's leader in the House of Commons; Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain and constitutional affairs minister Harriet Harman have also said they will stand.

Home Secretary John Reid and Education Secretary Alan Johnson may also stand although they have yet to rule out putting themselves forward for Blair's job.

Reuters SP GC1916