Undated file photo of Dorneywood mansion in Britain, the country residence of British Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott. (AP/AFP Photo)

    The Deputy Prime Minister said Wednesday night he had taken a personal decision to giving up the use of the 21-room mansion, Dorneywood, in Buckinghamshire, as the controversy over the country house had been "getting in the way" of his role in government.

    "I have accepted that my continued use of Dorneywood is getting in the way of doing my job in government," Prescott said in a statement. "I am well aware that my use of it is now a subject of public controversy and criticism and a matter of concern amongst some MPs and the Labour Party."

    Prescott was stripped of his department in Tony Blair's reshuffle on 5 May after newspapers splashed reports that Prescott had had a long affair with his diary secretary. But Blair retained Prescott's ministerial salary and perks, including Dorneywood and a flat in Admiralty House, London.

    Moreover, newspapers had another field day recently when Prescott was photographed playing croquet on the mansion's lawn during working hours.

    However, Blair's office has repeatedly said the prime minister still has confidence in his deputy. Enditem

(Agencies)