Prescott in high-dependency unit

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott is suffering from pneumonia and has been moved to a high-dependency hospital unit.

The 69-year-old has spent three nights in hospital since he was taken ill on a train on Saturday.

Mr Prescott's spokesman said: "The Deputy Prime Minister's Office has confirmed that the Deputy Prime Minister is suffering from pneumonia.

"He has been moved to a high-dependency unit, not because of a deterioration in his condition but so that his condition can be monitored more closely."

The office has so far declined to name the hospital where he is being treated.

He was given tests for a suspected chest infection, which was not said to be life-threatening.

The confirmation that he is suffering from pneumonia means he will almost certainly spend more nights in hospital, and will be unable to chair Cabinet on Thursday, when Tony Blair will be at the G8 summit in Germany.

It may be Chancellor Gordon Brown's first opportunity to take the central seat at the Cabinet table ahead of his elevation to Prime Minister later this month.

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