Prescott eyes human rights role in Council of Europe

John Prescott surprised Labour MPs last night by announcing that he is standing for the Council of Europe after he steps down tomorrow as Deputy Prime Minister.

He is hoping to fill a vacancy created by the promotion of Terry Davis, a former Labour MP, who has become secretary general of the council. Mr Prescott's decision came as a surprise after his recent bout of pneumonia, for which he is still receiving treatment.

Mr Prescott will have to be elected by fellow MPs to the post, but it is unlikely that he will face a contest. It does not mean that Mr Prescott will immediately have to give up his seat for Hull East at Westminster, although he is not expected to fight the next election.

The Council of Europe represents 47 countries, going far beyond the EU, and has a parliamentary assembly in Strasbourg with 636 members. Its aims include protecting human rights, and it recently produced a hard-hitting report on the use of "extraordinary rendition" by the United States.