David Cameron's aunt tells ITV News: Tory cuts in my nephew's constituency are 'great, great error' - he must act

Video report by ITV News Deputy Political Editor Chris Ship

David Cameron's aunt has told ITV News that the prime minister's own local council is making a "great, great error" by closing children's centres, as she pleaded with her nephew to provide the funds to keep the services open.

Clare Currie and her sister, the prime minister's mother, Mary Cameron, have signed a petition calling on the Conservative-led Oxfordshire County Council to abandon plans to close 44 centres in the county.

She condemned the decision as "very short-sighted", telling Deputy Political Editor Chris Ship that she did not believe her nephew would approve of the proposal.

"I know that he [David Cameron] doesn't want them to shut either - he's a family man too but they're making such an error by taking the money away."

David Cameron and his mother Mary. Credit: PA Wire
The prime minister has been urged to take action by his own family. Credit: PA Wire

Asked whether she believed her relationship with the prime minister would force the council into a U-turn, she replied: “Well let’s hope that it makes a difference but I doubt it will.”

Ms Currie added: "I think the cuts are a great, great error. Please give us enough money to keep these important things open.”

Asked if that was a message to the government and to the prime minister, Ms Currie said: “Yes, yes absolutely.”

In November, Mr Cameron was criticised for writing to the council - in his capacity as MP for Witney - expressing disappointment at what he called "significant cuts to frontline services".

The council leader, Ian Hudspeth, hit back at Mr Cameron, saying the austerity-drive was the result of cuts in funding from the prime minister's government.

Full interview with David Cameron's aunt Clare Currie: