Number 10 Press Briefing - Afternoon From 8 September 2010
From the Prime Minister's spokesperson on: the Prime Minister's father and misc.
Prime Minister’s father
It was with deep regret that the Prime Minister’s Spokesman (PMS) told assembled reporters that the Prime Minister’s father, Ian Cameron, died earlier this afternoon. He passed away shortly after the Prime Minister arrived at the hospital in France where he was undergoing treatment.
Asked who else was in France with the Prime Minister, the PMS said his understanding was that the Prime Minister’s brother, sister and mother were there.
Asked if the Prime Minister’s brother and sister had traveled with him to France, the PMS said that the Prime Minister and his brother flew from City Airport this morning on the same flight, but was not sure whether or not his sister travelled with them.
Asked when the Prime Minister was expected back, the PMS said that he would stay overnight in France, but there were no confirmed plans beyond that.
Asked how long Mr and Mrs Cameron had been in France for, the PMS said he believed that they had been in France for about a week.
Asked if Mr Cameron had met his granddaughter Florence, the PMS said that unfortunately he had not.
Asked what the Prime Minister’s movements had been today, the PMS said that the Prime Minister flew to France this morning. President Sarkozy offered the Prime Minister the use of a helicopter on his arrival into France, which the Prime Minister accepted. This was provided for security reasons.
Asked if Nick Clegg was now formally deputising for the Prime Minister, the PMS said that the Prime Minister remained in charge.
Misc
Asked if the government welcomed an inquiry by the Committee on Standards and Privileges into the phone hacking allegations, the PMS said that it was a matter for the House, not a matter for the government.
Asked how quickly details would be released on the Mull of Kintyre inquiry, the PMS said it would be shortly; the Ministry of Defence intended to set out the terms of reference and name the person who would lead the review.
Asked if there would be an announcement on the Dr Kelly inquest publication soon, the PMS said that there had been a meeting between the Justice Secretary and the Attorney General today. They were both considering the issues.