A group of Greenpeace activists clambered onto the roof of John Prescott's home in Hull at dawn this morning and installed two unwanted solar panels at the front of the house in a publicity stunt to highlight the Government's record on greenhouse gas emissions.

The Deputy Prime Minister was not at home when the protest started but his wife, Pauline, was in the house.

"At 6.15 hours this morning eight people, that’s four men and four women, gained access to the grounds of Mr Prescott’s home in Hull," a Humberside Police spokeswoman said.

"They were challenged by police officers but they managed to get on to the roof of the house where they have installed two solar panels at the front of the house. It’s a peaceful protest and police officers are monitoring the situation.

"Mrs Prescott is at home at the moment with a secretary and Mr Prescott is not at home. I do not know where Mr Prescott is. At the moment, police officers are here and we are monitoring the situation."

Ben Stewart, of Greenpeace, said that up to 20 activists were involved in the protest. He said: "We have people up on the roof who have got the equipment to fit a solar panel.We want to draw attention to the Government’s record on energy efficiency.

"We have unveiled a banner which says ‘Oi Two Jags. Hit Targets, Not Voters’. I don’t know if Mr Prescott is at home but we think his wife, Pauline, is inside."

The Government admits that it will miss its own target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per cent compared with 1990 levels by 2010, but says Britain should be able to meet its commitment to cut them by 12.5 per cent under the Kyoto Protocol.

A Labour Party spokesman said of the Greenpeace stunt: "John Prescott is one of the most accessible politicians in Britain. These protesters would have known he was on the road and his wife alone in the house. It is one thing to go for a politician, but to go for their wives is despicable.

"The alliance between publicity-seeking protesters and a media that gives them uncritical coverage means that there has been an increase in this type of nonsense. We would also point out that John Prescott played a key role in delivering the Kyoto agreement."

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