Prescott hints at Blair paternity leave

Tony Blair is likely to take paternity leave when his fourth child is born, Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott predicted today.

But the Prime Minister will probably not be away from work for long, Mr Prescott added.

"I think the Prime Minister will probably take paternity leave because he's a strong family man," said Mr Prescott in an interview with Railway Magazine.

"He's not the sort of man who'd knock off work for a month, though, and neither could any prime minister - even if his wife wanted him to."

On his nickname "Two Jags", Mr Prescott said: "I've not even got two Jags. I've got one car - a nine-year-old Jaguar - and one home ... it's not even as though I use a car much these days anyway. I travel to most places by train."

On rail privatisation, Mr Prescott said: "I have to admit that I wouldn't have privatised the railways by choice."

He also spoke about the tough line Rail Regulator Tom Winsor is taking with the rail industry, particularly with rail infrastructure company, Railtrack.

"If he (Mr Winsor) shakes the chicken coop up a bit, then it's not before time," Mr Prescott said.