BRITAIN: John Prescott yesterday apologised for letting Labour down over the past year - and the party conference rewarded him with a warm ovation after he confirmed this would be his last as deputy leader.
Many, including Mr Prescott's wife, Pauline, were tearful as the veteran politician thanked delegates for their support and confirmed he would stand down when Tony Blair leaves 10 Downing Street.
In reference to the revelations about his private life and controversy about his acceptance of hospitality from a US tycoon, Mr Prescott told delegates: "I know in the past year I let myself down, I let you down. So conference, I just want to say sorry."
Although he is supporting Gordon Brown as Mr Blair's successor, Mr Prescott stopped short of formally endorsing the chancellor yesterday during a speech warning against "public personal attacks" which could derail Labour's bid for a fourth term. "I've seen Labour governments elected with big majorities driven out within a few years as the party bitterly divided," said Mr Prescott, who spoke of his pride in what he and Mr Blair had achieved together.
The controversies had derailed Mr Prescott's hope to play broker in the transition between the Blair and possible Brown premierships, although his biographer, Colin Brown, stressed that Mr Prescott had "helped keep Blair and Brown together during their most difficult times".
But while Mr Prescott vowed he would "never leave the political fight", the spotlight was swiftly turning back to the increasingly crowded race to succeed him, with one contender - former Downing Street aide Jon Cruddas - saying he could not look his constituents in the face and tell them things had "got better" under Labour.
The Dagenham MP said migrant labour was driving falling wages, while people were suffering the shortage of low-cost housing. Calling for a debate on issues such as immigration and housing to stop people defecting to the far-right BNP, Mr Cruddas suggested Mr Blair trumpeting Labour's successes lived in "a parallel world".
While the lord chancellor, Lord Falconer, declined to endorse Mr Brown as Mr Blair's successor, home secretary John Reid gave a tantalising hint that he might be tempted to join the leadership race.
Urging Labour to show unity and common endeavour, Mr Reid told conference: "Leadership isn't a zero sum game. When one of us shines it doesn't diminish the others, it reflects on all of us. I pledge that I will play my part in that common endeavour."