Cameron's father dies in French hospital after stroke on holiday

DAVID Cameron is mourning the death of his father who suffered a stroke while on holiday in France.

Ian Cameron, 77, died shortly after his son arrived at his bedside at a hospital in the south of France after skipping his scheduled appearance in the House of Commons for Prime Minister's Questions.

The Tory leader's father was halfway through a two-week holiday with his wife Mary when he suffered a stroke and heart complications overnight.

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French President Nicolas Sarkozy personally intervened to arrange a helicopter to rush Mr Cameron to the hospital .

Friends said Mr Cameron was "relieved" to have been at the bedside and "pleased" his father died peacefully during a "happy family holiday".

In a statement, a Downing Street spokesman said: "It is with deep regret that we can confirm Ian Cameron died earlier this afternoon.

"He passed away shortly after the PM arrived at the hospital in France where he was receiving treatment."

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The Prime Minister's spokesman said Mr Cameron's death was not believed to be connected to any previously-existing medical condition.

After suffering the stroke, he was taken to a hospital near Toulon. The Prime Minister was informed of the situation at around 6am yesterday.

The premier was accompanied by his brother Alex and sister Clare on the commercial flight from London's City airport, before the helicopter took them to the hospital.

Sources close to the Prime Minister said he was "incredibly grateful" the French authorities had provided air transport. It is understood he would probably not have been able to reach his father in time otherwise.

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Ian Cameron was said to have been "proud" to see his son become Prime Minister, and had visited both 10 Downing Street and Chequers. The family's holiday plans had prevented him, however, from meeting his new granddaughter, Florence.

Mr Cameron previously described his father, who was born with both legs deformed, and endured repeated operations in an attempt to straighten them and ease his pain, as a "huge hero figure". Despite his disability, he forged a successful career as a stockbroker.

In an ITV interview before the General Election, the Tory leader said: "He's an amazingly brave man because he was born with no heels – quite a disability. But the glass with him was half-full, normally with something alcoholic. I think I got my sense of optimism from him."

Ian Cameron joined his son during the election campaign when he launched a mini-manifesto aimed at older voters. The Tory leader pointed to his parents as the inspiration for his Big Society vision of community involvement.

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"The Big Society is our big idea, but I need to say thanks to my mum and dad because really it's down to them," he said.

"They showed me how a Big Society could work every day I was growing up. And if we win, nothing will make me happier than to be able to take that idea - using the values they gave me – to help bring our country together."

With his father watching his speech attentively in a pub garden, the Conservative leader said: "My father used to work really long days but he always had time for the parochial church council and the parish council.

"My mother was a magistrate. She used to come home and tell us all the stories about the Newbury bypass protesters and Swampy up his tree.

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"But the thing that strikes me, looking back, is how they wore their public service so lightly. This wasn't some great duty with a capital D that they felt the need to grandstand about. Like so many of their generation the values implicit in the Big Society – duty, responsibility, obligation – are instinctive; it's just what you should do."

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, who stood in for Mr Cameron in the Commons yesterday, said: "My thoughts and condolences are with David and his family at this time. Despite the sadness of today, I am very glad that David's father lived to see him become Prime Minister and that David was able to be at his father's side at the end."

Shadow Justice Secretary Jack Straw said the Prime Minister had made "exactly the right decision" to be with his parents.