Norma Major's mother dies

John Major's mother-in-law died last night from cancer, it emerged early today. The former prime minister's wife, Norma, was believed to be with her mother, Edith Johnson, when she died.

A spokesman for Mr Major said he had left Westminster before the end of a debate which he had led for the Opposition to be with his wife at the London hospital where Mrs Johnson was admitted as an NHS patient last week.