Prescott in hospital for second night

John Prescott spent a second night in hospital as doctors tried to identify the cause of a chest infection.

The Deputy Prime Minister, who celebrated his 69th birthday on Thursday, is understood to have had a series of blood tests. His condition is not thought to be life-threatening.

He was taken to University College Hospital in London on Saturday night on a stretcher, according to witnesses.

Aides insist there is no suggestion Mr Prescott has caught a tropical illness during his recent foreign trips, which have taken in Barbados and Jamaica.

But his police bodyguard, who accompanied him, is also thought to have been tested for disease.

A spokesman for Mr Prescott said: "The DPM has been admitted to hospital.

"He is undergoing tests as a result of a suspected chest infection."

It is understood Mr Prescott was taken ill travelling on the train between his constituency in Hull and London.

He has generally enjoyed good health in his ten years as Deputy Premier, with only a few bouts of illness.

Mr Prescott, who will leave office with Tony Blair on June 27, has suffered from Type 2 diabetes for several years, which he manages with medication.

On Christmas Day last year he was taken to Castlehill hospital in Hull suffering from a kidney stone but was released the same day.