Prescott flat row case postponed

The civil case involving Mr Prescott has been postponed

A hearing to decide whether John Prescott should have a London flat he rents repossessed has been postponed.

The Rail Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) arrived at court hoping to be granted a judgment to repossess a London flat it has rented to Hull East MP Mr Prescott for more than 30 years.

But a last-minute agreement was reached between solicitors representing Mr Prescott and the RMT, postponing the hearing to a future date in 2004.

Mark Clark, a spokesman for Wandsworth County Court in south London, where the hearing was due to take place, said: "Technically, it looks like Mr Prescott is going to defend the action but the court hasn't been served with a defence yet.

"Solicitors for both Mr Prescott and the RMT have agreed terms of an order which the court will make in private to set the case on track for a hearing next year."

The union is seeking to redevelop a site at Clapham, south London, which includes a first-floor flat rented by Mr Prescott at a reduced rate.

Social housing

It wants to build social housing and has offered the deputy prime minister an alternative flat, believing it has respected his legal rights as a tenant.

Mr Prescott, who pays £220 a month for the two-bedroom property, which estate agents believe would fetch £1,600 if let commercially, was not in court for Wednesday's private hearing.

Mr Clark said the hearing was to clarify the direction the case would take.

A spokesman for Mr Prescott said he was in the United States accepting an award on behalf of Prime Minister Tony Blair and Irish Premier Bertie Ahern for their contribution to the Northern Ireland peace process.