Gordon Brown's father dies at 84

THE FATHER of the Chancellor, Gordon Brown, died after collapsing on his way home from a trip to the shops in the snow, yesterday.

The Rev John Brown, 84, a retired Church of Scotland minister, was a few hundred yards from his home in Insch, Aberdeenshire. He was dead on arrival at hospital.

Mr Brown lived with his wife Elizabeth - known as Bunty. The couple had three sons, Gordon, 47, John, 50, and Andrew, 42

A spokesman for Mr Brown said the Chancellor learned of his father's death yesterday morning. He said: "He immediately travelled up to Scotland to make the necessary arrangements." The Chancellor is due in the Commons for a debate on taxation tomorrow and for treasury questions on Thursday but it is unclear whether he would now attend.