'The real victims of phone hacking are the people who loathe John Prescott'

THE forgotten victims of the phone hacking scandal are the millions who would love to see John Prescott living under a bridge, it was claimed today.

As the most unspeakable holder of high office in British history received a six-figure settlement from News International, campaigners called for compensation for all those who will be traumatised by the increase in Prescott’s wealth.

Helen Archer, director of OafWatch, said: “Every time John Prescott open his fat, stupid, greedy, chippy, shit-eating mouth it feels like he is burgling my soul.

“The fact he has now been given this money because some arsewit thought he was remotely interesting demands a public inquiry that must ultimately force him to compensate all those he has defiled with his jowly, malodorous sense of entitlement.”

Archer added: “Many of the people receiving money today are truly repellent, but none of them makes us want to puke in a bucket and then shove his head repeatedly into the bucket as much as the former deputy prime minister.

“We can only hope this award leads to a more responsible attitude towards John Prescott and that one day absolutely every single person in this country will wish him nothing but destitution and misery.”

Archer said the award also extinguishes any lingering doubts about the closure of the News of the World, stressing that any newspaper that enriches Prescott ‘must be
completely destroyed’.

Prescott victim Roy Hobbs said: “He could at least give some of the money to that poor secretary he was spilling gravy all over.

“It wasn’t for her why would they have hacked his phone? So they could hear him ordering butties at three o’clock in the morning and complaining about how no-one lets him do anything important?”

One survivor's week, with Karen Fenessey

It’s no secret that some of the things I write make pretty difficult reading. But this one has literally killed me. Costa Concordia 2012 – I was there.

The cruise started perfectly when I discovered a Philip Treacy boutique on the shopping deck. I almost vomited when I saw they were stocking his hat in the shape of a bagel because I love it when fashion gets political and nothing would better demonstrate my solidarity with Israel than this majestic accessory. I was about to enter my details into the Chip and Pin when there was a massive crunch and all the lights went out. I couldn’t see the instructions on the keypad and descended into panic, fearing the transaction might fail.

Fortunately, the little Filipino salesman let me wear the hat as he escorted me to a muster point.

As the ship listed more and more to one side, we joined the throng for the lifeboats. It was chaos. Fortunately I was able to use a discarded magician’s box as a vantage point. It kept trying to bite me on the ankles but I freed myself by repeatedly kicking its teeth.

I couldn’t believe the audacity of some of the selfish monsters trying to bag prime life boat seats. As a feminist, I find it a ludicrous idea that mumsy types should be given priority. All they care about is perpetuating stereotypes and setting back feminism. They steal my taxes, block my view when I’m deliberating in the feminine hygiene aisles and tut when I don’t wear underwear to One Direction concerts. But I was damned if they’d thwart me this time!

My milliner friend and I proved a formidable team – like Steven Seagal and Mr Miyagi. We karate chopped our way through the benefit cheats to get to the front and I clinched the last seat. Miraculously, he was able to grab the side of the raft. As he trailed in the water with his teeth chattering, I noticed he still had the Chip and Pin in his jacket. I waved my credit card at him, excitedly. He didn’t share my fervour and urged me to put the card away.

“I refuse to haggle over this,” I told him, “I will not racially stereotype you like that – have some self respect.” At last, he let me slot my card in but the screen froze. My panic returned and I started screaming again. He tried to fix it but this involved using both his hands and sadly he slipped off the side of the raft never to be seen again.

I couldn’t believe I’d lost Mr Right and I never even knew his name. I think it might have been something like Gak.

Suddenly, a seagull landed on my shoulder and started pecking at my beloved hat. With lightning reflexes, I grabbed it by the throat and dashed its brains on the side. “Good news!” I announced to my fellow evacuees, “we will not go hungry tonight!” and I sank my teeth into its wing. The rest of the passengers just looked away, silently weeping as I spat feathers everywhere. I really missed Gak. He could always cheer me up at times like this.

As we bobbed away, I was sure I saw the captain still on board trying to fence a fake antique sextant to a group of strippers who were shaking their heads and pointing at various stars.

What a load of freaks, I thought. I was so glad I was off that insane boat and although I may have lost my soul mate, I know my hat will go on and on.