Andrew Robathan

A Tory MP has mounted a scathing attack on the deputy prime minister.

Andrew Robathan, the MP for Blaby, slammed John Prescott in a Westminster Hall debate on Wednesday after it was revealed that he will continue to hold the tenancy on a flat owned by the RMT despite having resigned from the union.

Prescott still holds a controlled tenancy on the property - for which he pays just £220 a month.

Estate agents say the market rent on the property could be as much as £1,600 a month.

Opposition MPs have dubbed Prescott "four homes, two jags" over the affair.

Robathan said: "I wonder when Labour MPs go on about homelessness whether they think somebody who has two grace and favour homes; one at Admiralty Arch and one at Dorney Wood in Buckinghamshire and with his own house in Hull, still sees fit to accept a controlled tenancy from a trade union which is currently worth to him some £15,000 a year.

"I think it is extraordinary and bizarre that with this particular government in its partnership with trade unions, we have a situation where a man that is paid well over £100,000 a year is able to accept this benefit and that the Labour movement itself... is not appalled by such behaviour.''

Prescott, who does not list the flat in the register of members' interests, has said it is important that he retains the flat in order to have a London base after he leaves the government.