Prescott 6/5 To Be Gone By July

Former postman Alan Johnson has been installed as 6/4 favourite to succeed John Prescott as Deputy Prime Minister by William Hill who make Harriet Harman 7/4 second favourite with Peter Hain at 3/1.

"Mr Johnson has dropped a subtle hint that he might be interested in the job - and he seems sure to offer a first class service should he get it!" said William Hill's spokesman Graham Sharpe.

William Hill make the beleaguered current Deputy PM, John Prescott, a 6/5 chance to be out of office by July 1, but 8/13 to survive until then.