Prescott discharged from hospital, told to rest

LONDON, June 10 (Reuters) Outgoing Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott was discharged from hospital today, his office said, after being admitted last week suffering from pneumonia.

Doctors have confined Prescott, who recently turned 69, to ''rest and recovery'' at his government home at Admiralty House, near Trafalgar Square, for an unspecified period of time, said a spokesman.

''His condition will continue to be monitored by the hospital,'' the spokesman added.

Prescott, who is set to step down later this month when Prime Minister Tony Blair resigns, went into hospital on June 2 after becoming unwell on a train journey from Hull to London.

He was moved into a high dependency unit on Tuesday to be more closely monitored.

The feisty politician -- remembered for punching a protester who threw an egg at him on the campaign trail -- had returned days earlier from a trip to the United States and the Caribbean.

''I would like to personally thank all the doctors, nurses and support staff for their understanding, professional help and assistance,'' Prescott said in a statement read by his spokesman.

''We should all be very proud of our magnificent NHS.'' REUTERS RJ RAI2336