British PM's father dies on holiday in France

THE father of British Prime Minister David Cameron died yesterday after suffering a stroke while on holiday in France, Downing Street said. "It is with deep regret we can confirm that Ian Cameron died earlier this afternoon," a statement said. "He passed away shortly after the prime minister arrived at the hospital in France where he was undergoing treatment."

David Cameron rushed from London to the bedside of his 77-year-old father, who was being treated in the Mediterranean port of Toulon on Wednesday after he was taken ill. An AFP reporter said David Cameron and other family members were driven away from the hospital in a convoy of cars just after 5pm under a French police escort.

They were expected to head to Fort de Bregancon, the official French presidential retreat, which is nearby on the southern French coast, sources said.

Downing Street said French President Nicolas Sarkozy had intervened to send a helicopter to carry David Cameron to the hospital when he first arrived in France with his brother Alex and sister Clare. It added that he was expected to remain in France overnight. The British premier's parents are believed to have been halfway through a two-week holiday when his father was taken ill. Ian Cameron had a stroke and also suffered heart complications, officials said.AFP