Now, hang on a minute. I hold no brief for Mr John Prescott, but would like to point out the following:

What is wrong with having a few minutes relaxation after a day's work - or even in the middle of a day's work? The news reports that I have seen make no mention of the time of day, or how long, the croquet game lasted. I find that a few moments' relaxation is quite a good way of working out answers to problems - you would be surprised how often a trip to the loo helps me work out a solution.

And what about those poor-quality long-distance photos that were used? Obviously from press photographers hiding at a distance. Are our politicians not entitled to any privacy? And what about the promises from newspapers after the death of the Princess of Wales that they would no longer use paparazzi photos. I can only assume that the Mail on Sunday was not one of those newspapers.