David Cameron spent part of his visit to a village pub on Thursday evening explaining how he managed to leave his young daughter at that very venue to China's President Xi Jinping.
The Prime Minister brought Mr Xi’s trip to the UK to a close by taking him for a pint and a plate of fish and chips at a pub close to his residence in Chequers - a dinner that contrasted heavily with the opulant banquet he enjoyed with the Queen and royal family just days before.
President Xi was apparently eager to sample traditional pub staples and guzzled two pints of Greene King IPA at the Plough Inn at Cadsden, in Buckinghamshire, during their 45 minute visit.
In 2012, Mr Cameron’s daughter Nancy was accidentally left at The Plough for 15 minutes before Samantha Cameron returned to collect her. Ms Cameron was said to be “distraught” after realising Nancy wasn’t with them.
A spokesperson said at the time: “Thankfully when they phoned the pub she was there safe and well.“
Mr Cameron told President Xi: "I once famously made a terrible mistake. I got into the car and I left my daughter.
“I've been in here a few times but I'm not leaving my family here today. She [Nancy] tells the story about her dad her in the pub. She's coped very well.”
President Xi has been in the UK for a “milestone” four-day state visit. His visit will end on Friday with the announcement of new air links between China and Manchester, the northern English city at the heart of efforts to rebalance the British economy. Mr Cameron has been attempting to secure cooperation on international trade deals worth billions, but has faced criticism for not addressing human rights concerns with the Chinese President.
Additional reporting by the Press Association
