BRITISH PRIME minister David Cameron, whose father died yesterday in France after suffering a stroke while on holiday, managed to reach his father’s bedside shortly before he died, with the help of French president Nicolas Sarkozy. The president ordered a military helicopter to take Mr Cameron and his brother to the hospital from an airport in southern France.
The prime minister was alerted in Downing Street shortly after 6am about his father Ian’s illness. The prime minister took a commercial flight from London City Airport to Toulon. He said last night he was ‘‘incredibly grateful’’ to Mr Sarkozy for his intervention, saying he did not believe he would have got to the hospital in time otherwise.
The prime minister had been due to return to the House of Commons today after paternity leave following the birth of his daughter, Florence, a fortnight ago during a family holiday in Cornwall. However, he cancelled on news of his father’s stroke, leaving deputy prime minister Nick Clegg to take his place at the weekly prime minister’s questions.
Born with deformed legs, Ian Cameron underwent multiple operations before they were eventually amputated. He later lost his sight in one eye, but despite his disabilities he built a successful stockbroking career.
David Cameron and his brother, Allan, were flown from Toulon to the hospital by the French military, though it is not known if their father was conscious when they arrived. He died shortly afterwards. He had been admitted suffering stroke and heart problems. It is not believed he saw his latest granddaughter before he died.
Former Labour minister Jack Straw said MPs had been hoping to congratulate Mr Cameron on the birth of his daughter, and ‘‘we certainly do so’’.
“Sadly, however, that is tinged with the dreadful news about the prime minister’s father. Let me say on behalf of the opposition that I am absolutely certain that the prime minister has made the right decision – to be where he knows he has to be, with his father and his family.”