Hypocrisy in the Government:

Prescott Chauffeured 270 Yards  (30th September, 1999)

John Prescott was twice chauffeured just 270 yards - as he urged Britain to cut down on car use.

Tories last night accused the Deputy Premier of hypocrisy in using two cars to travel to and from the Labour conference centre. And the AA and Friends of the Earth attacked him for failing to set an example.

But Mr Prescott - asked by ITN why he took a car - snapped: "For security and because my wife does not like her hair blown about. Have you another stupid question?"

Mr Prescott - who owns two Jaguars - earlier told the conference: "The biggest environmental challenge we face is the poisoning of the Earth's atmosphere." But he and wife Pauline took a £20,000 S-reg Rover 800 from Bournemouth's seafront Highcliff Hotel to the centre. It is only a two-minute walk.

For the return journey two hours 25 minutes later Mrs Prescott used the same car while her husband took a £25,000 Volvo. Yet a council-run environmentally friendly "train" supplies a door-to-door service between the hotel and centre.

When asked if he Mr Prescott could have WALKED with security guards, the Transport Minister angrily replied: "Do you want to talk to security about that?"

As he entered the hotel, Culture Secretary Chris Smith emerged and strolled to the centre.

He told us: "The only people who need to travel by car for security are Tony Blair, Mo Mowlam and Jack Straw."

Mr Prescott later went to a photocall - which involved him posing at the wheel of a bus - around 500 yards from his hotel. Again, he used his car.

Tory transport spokesman John Redwood said: "Labour's hypocrisy knows no bounds. They say one thing and do another."

Friends of the Earth said: "Walking would be good politics. One day, politicians will realise that people notice when they use the car unnecessarily. Like many of us, Mr Prescott needs more exercise."

The AA said: "If Mr. Prescott wants drivers to use public transport, he should lead by example."

Later, a Labour spokesman said Special Branch and police had insisted on Mr Prescott travelling by car.

He added: "Mr Prescott has never spoken about forcing people not to use the car. He always talks about choice, and here he had no choice." Mr. Prescott denied at the
conference being "anti-motorist." He said: "How could I be anti-motorist, driving two Jags?"

But Britain could not build its way out of congestion. He said: "The worst option for motorists is to carry on as before."

Source: The Daily Mirror Newspaper

NUFF SAID !!!