Political allies and opponents sent their condolences to David Cameron last night following the death of his father.
The prime minister rushed to 77-year-old Ian Cameron’s bedside after he suffered a stroke while on holiday in France. Only the intervention of President Nicolas Sarkozy, who arranged a helicopter to the hospital in Toulon, allowed Mr Cameron to see his father before he passed away.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg – who stood in to field questions in the Commons – expressed his sympathy. He said: “Despite the sadness of today, I am very glad that David was able to be at his father’s side at the end.”
A Labour Party spokes-woman said acting leader Harriet Harman had sent her condolences.
Mr Cameron’s mother, Mary, telephoned at around 6am yesterday to alert him to the situation, which arose as the couple were halfway through a two-week holiday.
After speaking to local doctors about his father’s condition, Mr Cameron took a commercial flight from London’s City Airport at 9.30am accompanied by his brother Alex and sister Clare.
Sources close to the prime minister said he was “incredibly grateful” that the French authorities had provided a helicopter to take him to the hospital. He landed at 12.30pm and it is understood he would probably not have been able to reach his father in time otherwise. Mr Cameron was said to be “relieved” to have been at the bedside.
The prime minister was staying in France last night .
Friends said Ian Cameron was “proud” to have seen his son become prime minister and had made visits to both 10 Downing Street and Chequers. But the family’s various holiday plans meant he had not met his granddaughter Florence, who was born last month.
Mr Cameron previously described his father as a “huge hero figure” and praised his optimism. Ian Cameron was born with both legs deformed and endured repeated operations in an attempt to straighten them and ease his pain.
Despite his disability, he forged a successful career as a stockbroker. He was born and brought up in London, but his family home was in Aberdeenshire, at Blairmore House, near Huntly.
The prime minister’s great-grandmother, Rachel, and her husband, Ewen Cameron, lived for 20 years at the mansion, which was built by her father, Alexander Geddes.
The house was sold when Mr Cameron sen was two, but he said just after his son became prime minister that the family was still proud of its Scottish link.