BBC NEWS | UK | Major's son-in-law dies

Luke Salter, son-in-law of former Tory Prime Minister John Major has died in hospital after a battle against cancer.

A spokesman for both families confirmed the death of Mr Salter, who had been suffering from brain cancer.

The 30-year-old hospital doctor married Mr Major's and Dame Norma Major's only daughter, Elizabeth, in March, 2000.

They had been childhood sweethearts.

'Sad time'

A spokesman on behalf of both families said: "He (Luke) died peacefully in hospital with Elizabeth and his closest family beside him.

"All that Elizabeth and both families wish for is that they be given peace and privacy during this desperately sad time."

Mr Salter proposed to Elizabeth while the couple were celebrating Christmas at the Majors' family home near Huntingdon in 1998.

They married two years later at All Saints Church, Somerby, Leicestershire on 26 March 2000.

The pair shared a love of music and had both been members of the Huntingdon Youth Orchestra.

He played the French horn and she the clarinet.

The families spokesman declined to say in which hospital Mr Salter had died.