David Cameron’s father passes away
By Ian Dunt and Alex Stevenson
David Cameron’s father died today, shortly after he arrived at the hospital to see him.
The prime minister left Nick Clegg in charge of PMQs this morning when he travelled to France to be by his father’s bedside.
A Downing Street spokesperson said: “It is with deep regret we can confirm that Ian Cameron died earlier this afternoon.
“He passed away shortly after the prime minister arrived at the hospital in France where he was undergoing treatment.”
Mr Cameron was informed this morning that his father was seriously ill after suffering a stroke and heart complications while on holiday in France.
Mr Cameron’s personal life has been unusually prominent during his political career.
MPs from across the political parties offered him their sympathy last year when his eldest son, Ivan, passed away.
The family was euphoric when new arrival Florence Rose Endellion was born unexpectedly during a holiday in Cornwall last month.
But today’s events have a particularly tragic overtone, given how recently the youngest daughter was born.
Speaking during PMQs today, Jack Straw congratulated the Cameron family on the birth of their daughter.
“But that’s tinged with the awful news of the prime minister’s father,” he went on.
“I am absolutely certain he has made the right decision” to go be with his family.
There were condolences from across the political spectrum today.
The prime minister will stay in France overnight.
Ian Cameron was aged 77.
