SWINDON MP Anne Snelgrove attempted to ride to John Prescott's rescue as he suffered mockery and humiliation at the dispatch box.

During rowdy scenes in the Commons, Mrs Snelgrove insisted the country feels a "great deal of pride" for the Deputy Prime Minister.

She spoke during Mr Prescott's first parliamentary question session since he was stripped of his departmental responsibilities following revelations of an affair with his diary secretary.

It was yesterday revealed that Mr Prescott will chair nine cabinet committees, after accusations that he was retaining the perks of high office despite not having any formal job to do.

Opposition MPs lined up to hurl embarrassing questions at the Deputy Prime Minister during rowdy scenes in the Commons.

One Tory MP demanded to know what steps he would take to ensure his staff were not subject to sexual harassment and bullying, while another tabled a question asking whether his new office will have a diary secretary.

But in a show of loyalty, South Swindon's Mrs Snelgrove said: "There is a great deal of pride in the party and the country in the role he has played and in particular we are very pleased to hear that his responsibilities have now been defined."

She added: "Perhaps he could tell us how many of his staff will be responsible for these extended responsibilities he's taking on?"

The beleaguered Mr Prescott replied: "I thank my honourable friend for her supportive remarks. Any more would be very welcome.

"The actual support role is being worked out in the numbers, and obviously until that has been concluded, we are not able to give a precise answer to that."