Stroud's MP feels let down by ministers (From Stroud News and Journal)

Stroud's MP feels let down by ministers

STROUD MP David Drew has spoken of his disappointment with the Government following the lurid revelations of John Prescott's affair with his secretary.

Damning allegations by two other women have now put the Deputy Prime Minister under intense pressure to resign.

Mr Drew, a Labour backbencher, said: "I feel let down generally - the scandal should be a warning to other members of the Government.

"People should behave themselves full stop.

"They shouldn't make these mistakes because they will get caught out.

"I don't know whether all this will affect tomorrow's local elections but one is a bit suspicious when these things come out.

"Prescott should look to the future now."

There were renewed calls for Home Secretary Charles Clarke to quit this week after it was revealed that he waited three weeks before informing the Prime Minister of the bungle which meant 1,023 foreign criminals were freed without deportation.

But Mr Drew emphasised the difficulties faced by Mr Clarke. "It is not as easy to deport people as is assumed," he said.

"You have to look at the repercussions, a lot of these people have reasons to remain in this country and they could be entitled to stay."

Labour's worst week in office began when Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt was heckled at the Royal College of Nursing for claiming the NHS was having its best year ever.

Mr Drew said the Government needed the support of nurses to deliver services.

"We have increased spending but we need to spend more on health, traditionally we under-spend on the health service in this country," he said.