Enter 'The Erminator' as Prescott joins Lords

Dressed in ermine robes, the former Deputy Prime Minister was greeted by a loud cheer from Labour peers as he was introduced to the upper house.

One long-standing Westminster watcher says Lord Prescott has already been dubbed 'The Erminator'.

Watched by his wife Pauline, who sat in one of the viewing galleries, the former Hull East MP swore his allegiance to the Queen in the traditional ceremony of introduction.

As one of three Labour peers who took their seats in the Lords yesterday, he has taken the official title of Baron Prescott of Kingston-upon-Hull, although he will be known more simply as Lord Prescott.

He is free to sit, speak and vote in the Lords although it is not known when he will make his maiden speech.

Despite enjoying a long and colourful 40-year career in the Commons, Lord Prescott, 72, had previously indicated he would not accept a peerage.

On Twitter yesterday he justified his change of heart by saying his new role would let him 'keep holding this Government to account in Parliament'.