Cameron flies to be with father in France after stroke

PRIME Minister David Cameron today flew to southern France to be with his parents after his father Ian suffered a stroke on holiday.

Mr Cameron took a commercial flight from London's City airport accompanied by his brother Alex and sister Clare, after a 6am phone call from his mother Mary alerted him to his father's condition.

The premier made the decision to cancel his scheduled Commons appearance for Prime Minister's Questions after talking to local doctors.

A Downing Street spokesman said: "The Prime Minister was informed this morning that his father Ian is seriously ill after suffering a stroke and heart complications while on holiday in France.

"After talking to doctors at the hospital the Prime Minister has decided to fly to be with his father and mother Mary."

Mr Cameron touched down in France just as PMQs was finishing at 12.30 in the Commons, having taken a 9.30am flight. His parents are understood to have been halfway through a two-week holiday.

The Prime Minister's wife Samantha - who gave birth to their daughter Florence last month - and their children have not accompanied him to France.

Mr Cameron has previously described his father as a "huge hero figure".

The 77-year-old was born with both legs deformed, and endured repeated operations in an attempt to straighten them and ease his pain.

However, despite his disability, he forged a successful career as a stockbroker.

In an ITV interview before the General Election, the Tory leader said: "My father is a huge hero figure for me.

"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 and Mary Cameron - a former magistrate - live at the family home in Peasemore, Berkshire. He is understood not to have had a history of heart problems.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, standing in for Mr Cameron in the Commons, told MPs: "We wish him, his father and their family all best wishes at this difficult time."

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

Former prime minister Tony Blair, told about Mr Cameron's stroke on ITV1's This Morning, said: "I send all my sympathy to David and to his family."