Prescott reunion with shipmates

Mr Prescott - who was a steward on the Cunard Line - was celebrating the 50th anniversary of their first sailing to New York on the MV Britannic.

Mr Prescott quit the government when Tony Blair left office two months ago, and was appointed a UK representative to the Council of Europe.

The 69-year-old said he was enjoying life away from the political frontline.

"I'm enjoying not having to listen to the Today programme and not having to read the papers, but I haven't retired, it is just a new phase of my life."

Reminiscing about his shipboard life, he said he often received generous tips from the passengers who were usually wealthy Americans.

"I'm better now although my voice is not as loud as it used to be, perhaps that is because I'm not shouting at people so much"
John Prescott
Former deputy prime minister

"All the girls at home loved us because we would come back with all the latest American records and the Ivy League clothes," he said.

His former colleague Tommy Foster, 71, from Liverpool, said he remembered that "when we were larking about, John was always studying".

He added: "He was allowed extra time off duties to read this book or another."

Bert Novelli, 69, from Manchester, added: "John has always been the same to us, when he was deputy prime minister he was just John and if he becomes Lord Prescott he will still be John.

"We built great friendships during those sailings which have lasted ever since."

The ex-shipmates met in Liverpool when Mr Prescott launched the city's commemorations for International Slavery Remembrance Week.

He steered the Amistad, a reconstruction of an 18th century slave ship, into port, and commented that slavery was still an important issue today.

'Horrific' slavery

"Slavery isn't in the past, it is going on right now and it is as horrific as it ever was.

"It's happening in this country too, women and children are being sold for a few thousand pounds."

He said he plans to lead a UK delegation to the Council of Europe where he hopes to secure ratification of the Convention on Human Trafficking, as well as "working on climate change issues".

Mr Prescott said his health had improved since he spent six days in intensive care in June with pneumonia.

"I'm better now although my voice is not as loud as it used to be, perhaps that is because I'm not shouting at people so much."

Mr Prescott made no comment about reports he is being paid up to £500,000 for his memoirs.