UK PM cancels engagements after father's death

LONDON: British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has cancelled his upcoming engagements Monday and Tuesday due to the death of his father, his Downing Street office announced.

Burnham has said in interviews that his father, Roy, had Alzheimer's disease and was living in a care home. He has cited his family's experience while vowing to reform the social care system.

After taking office in July, Burnham told The Times daily that his father, a former telecoms engineer who is in his mid-80s, did not know he was prime minister, which was a "sadness."

He told podcaster Elizabeth Day that his father was unable to come and see him enter Downing Street along with his mother, but carers pointed out Burnham on television and thought he recognised him.-AFP