Commons sketchwriter favourite, John Prescott's performance comes under scrutiny.

In the Times, Ben Macintyre writes: "'Let me be clear,' said John Prescott. 'Yes, yes,' shouted the opposition. 'Please.' 'To be clear, Sir George Bain is offering a menu of modernisation.' 'I'll have the Beef Wellington,' said a Tory voice."

The Guardian's Simon Hoggart says: "From the gallery he was watched by Mr Andy Gilchrist, or 'Andy Gilcrust' as the deputy prime minister called him. The FBU leader sat scribbling frantically for a while, but then gave up. As all of us were tempted to do."

Simon Carr of the Independent writes: "The deputy prime minister, eyes deep with pain, swiped and snarled round the despatch box like some baited bear. He doesn't seem to be particularly good at anything so he serves parliament and the people in the only way he can: by poignantly reminding us of our animal origins. Species hubris is impossible."

The Telegraph's Frank Johnson says: "After a while, Mr Gilchrist stopped taking notes. His brow furrowed and he began to look baffled. He was beaten. The code was unbroken. Later, Mr Prescott referred to 'Mr Gilcrust'. This was too obvious a code name for Mr Gilchrist. It sounded more like the code name for a British agent deep within the Fire Brigades Union; all in all, a black day for the FBU counter-espionage operation."