John Prescott takes seat in House of Lords

The new peer, previously opposed to the Lords 'flunkery', justifies his move because 'there's a lot to hold the government to account for'

John Prescott is introduced to the House of Lords in traditional ermine-trimmed red robe, taking on the title of Baron Prescott of Kingston-upon-Hull. Photograph: PA

John Prescott, New Labour's key link to the party's old Labour roots, today became Baron Prescott of Kingston-upon-Hull, despite previously saying he was opposed to becoming a peer.

This morning, before being sworn into the House of Lords, the former deputy prime minister rejected the charge of hypocrisy, and wrote on Twitter that he would use the position to hold the government to account, and as a platform to campaign for issues he believes in.

"As the last week has shown with hiking up VAT, axing child tax credits and scrapping schools, there's a lot to hold this government to account for," he wrote.

Prescott denied reports that he did not want the "flunkery and titles" of the House of Lords, despite saying as much in an interview with the Scotsman two years ago.

When the dissolution honours list that included his name was announced on 28 May he blogged: "I welcome the opportunity to continue to campaign in parliament for jobs, social justice and the environment as well as to hold this Con-Lib government to account."

Prescott was supported by Lord Dixon and Lord Grocott, his sponsoring peers, as he was sworn into the Lords. Wearing the traditional ermine-trimmed red robe, the former MP swore an oath of allegiance and signed the test roll, in the peerage ceremony that dates back to 1621.

Lord Prescott exited the house to de-robe, and is not expected to make his maiden speech today. He can now take his seat at any time.

Prescott stood down from the House of Commons at the last general election, but continues to campaign on issues such as climate change and unemployment.

He is pushing for a deal to be reached on global warming at the climate change summit to be held in Cancun, Mexico, in November; he helped negotiate the Kyoto protocol and was also involved in last year's Copenhagen conference.

The 72-year-old will continue to be an ambassador for the city of Hull, where he has lived for more than 40 years.

Prescott was the last of three Labour peers to be sworn in today.Quentin Davies, a Tory MP who defected to Labour when David Cameron became Conservative leader, and Angela Smith also accepted their place in the Lords.

The former deputy prime minister was one of over 29 new Labour peers created in a honours list that included 16 new Conservative peers and nine new Liberal Democrat peers.

Michael Howard, the former Conservative leader, Guy Black, who once head of the Press Complaints Commission and TV presenter Floella Benjamin, are among those who will also be sworn into the House of Lords.