Coronavirus: David Cameron's tutor Prof Peter Sinclair dies

A professor who taught David Cameron at Oxford University has died after contracting coronavirus.

Prof Peter Sinclair, 73, was the future PM's tutor when Mr Cameron studied philosophy, politics and economics at Brasenose College in the 1980s.

He joined the Economics Department at the University of Birmingham in 1994.

Mr Cameron paid tribute to Prof Sinclair, saying he was "one of the kindest, as well as one of the cleverest people I ever met".

He added: "His enthusiasm for economics and solving problems was extraordinary and he inspired generations of students."

The former prime minister said it was a "complete privilege to know him".

The Dean of the Birmingham Business School, Prof Catherine Cassell, said the emeritus professor of economics was "enthused when discussing how economics could make the world a better place".

The university said Prof Sinclair, who is survived by his wife, Jayne Ivimey, died on Tuesday after spending "some weeks in intensive care battling Covid-19".

Before taking up his post in Birmingham, he taught economics at Oxford for 24 years.

His other notable students include King Letsie III of Lesotho, Baroness Camilla Cavendish, a former director of policy at Number 10, and Sir Dave Ramsden, a former chief economic adviser to HM Treasury.

The vice-chancellor of the university Prof Sir David Eastwood said Prof Sinclair was "widely known as David Cameron's tutor when the future prime minister was his student".

He added: "I remember Peter as someone who was wholeheartedly committed to our university, to making the experience of students better and to giving many access to, and understanding of, the discipline of economics."

The university said a book of condolences was available on its website.

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