Samantha Cameron influenced her husband’s decision to accept more Syrian refugees, it was claimed last night.

The Prime Minister’s wife is thought to have helped persuade him to change his mind after having visited a camp in Lebanon two years ago.

Mrs Cameron, who is a Save the Children ambassador, met families torn apart by war on her first solo foreign trip.

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Mrs Cameron, who is a Save the Children ambassador, met families torn apart by war on her first solo foreign trip in 2013 (above)

They included children who witnessed the violent deaths of their parents and siblings and had been forced to flee their homes without any belongings.

‘As a mother, it is horrifying to hear the harrowing stories from the children I met today, no child should ever experience what they have,’ she said during the visit in March 2013.

‘With every day that passes, more children and parents are being killed, more innocent childhoods are being smashed to pieces.’

After Mr Cameron yesterday announced Britain would welcome ‘thousands more’ refugees, it was suggested Mrs Cameron’s experience had played a part in his decision.

Tim Montgomerie, founder of the Conservative Home blog, wrote on Twitter: ‘Am told that Samantha Cameron was huge influence on shift in the Government’s refugee policy.’

Conservatives last night claimed it was his wife's visit to the camp which may have changed the PM's mind

Yesterday when asked if he had been persuaded by his wife to change his mind, Mr Cameron maintained he had been ‘consistent’ in his approach as he sought to play down the idea he had performed a U-turn.

But he added: ‘As a father and as a human being you cannot help but be moved by these terrible pictures, seeing the picture of that poor child on the beach in Turkey. Those images will remain with all of us for a very, very long time.’

During the General Election campaign Mrs Cameron spoke of how she shares her perspective on her husband’s policies with him.

She said in an interview: ‘I try to stay out of the Westminster village.

‘There are times when I will be surprised and curious about what’s been announced. I hope that he can get an everyday, down-to-earth view from me, as a mother who works in business.’