Mr Prescott failed his 11-plus and left secondary modern school at 15

The deputy prime minister has criticised Tony Blair's plans to give state schools in England more say over admissions, staffing and finances.

Pupils from poorer backgrounds could lose out under a two-tier, class-ridden system, he told the Sunday Telegraph.

The Liberal Democrats said his views showed the reforms were "damaging".

They see his decision to go public as proof of the depth of dissent within Labour ranks.

Mr Prescott, who failed his 11-plus but later earned a degree, said: "I'm not totally convinced major reform is necessary."

SCHOOLS WHITE PAPER Allowing schools to become independent trusts, with more say over admissions, staffing and finances Local authorities become "champions" for good schools, rather than education providers Parents encouraged to set up their own schools A "schools commissioner" and network of advisers to help parents More help with transport costs for poorer families

He defended comprehensive schools and warned against any move that could pave the way for their abolition.

He said of the government's White Paper on school reform: "Since I was an 11-plus failure, since I do believe that produced a 'first-class/second-class' education system, I fear this is a framework that may do the same."

In a later statement, Mr Prescott said his comments "properly reflect the views that party members have expressed to me as deputy leader, some of which I share".

But he added they should not "be taken as fundamental opposition to the schools White Paper, which continues the major improvements achieved in education since 1997".

Shadow education secretary David Willetts said Mr Prescott was fighting old "class war" battles and ignoring young people already denied a good education because of selection by house price.

Shadow foreign secretary William Hague told BBC One's Sunday AM programme Mr Blair should take up Mr Cameron's offer of support for the plans.

"The question is, is he going to carry on and do the right thing, even if it means relying on the support of the Conservative Party, or is he going to give in to these old prejudices of John Prescott and others?"

'Embarrassing'

Fellow ministers said Mr Prescott's views reflected the education reforms debate.

Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain said: "John's made his views very clear as I've heard them sitting nearby in Cabinet - now he's said that in public, that's fine."

Europe Minister Douglas Alexander said: "I think it's right that we do take forward the process of reform but, of course, as the prime minister has said, that's going to be informed by the discussions that we have with parliamentary colleagues."

BBC political correspondent Mark Sanders said Mr Prescott's comments were embarrassing as Mr Blair tried to ward off a backbench rebellion on the school reforms.

Labour MP John McDonnell, who chairs the socialist Campaign group, said the issue was one of "deep principle" and warned Mr Blair he was "flying in the face of the whole of the Labour Party".

A group of 58 Labour backbenchers has published alternative proposals that would give local authorities extra powers to co-ordinate admissions.

'Serious splits'

Mr Blair has told MPs changes in the White Paper would remain, as they were "the right changes to make".

Liberal Democrat education spokesman Ed Davey said Mr Prescott's comments were "a mark of how unfair and damaging these reforms are, and exposes the serious splits in the Cabinet".

The plans would allow local education authorities a more strategic role, monitoring standards and commissioning services rather than running schools.

Ministers insist the plans do not mean a return to selection by ability and that they will improve standards.