Julie C
|
David Cameron's son dies age 6Cameron's 'beautiful boy' dies
David and Samantha Cameron have passed on their thanks for the messages of support after the death of son Ivan, their "beautiful boy".
William Hague, standing in for the Conservative leader as PM's questions was suspended, said Ivan had brought "joy and love to those around him".
Gordon Brown said everyone's thoughts and prayers were with the family.
Six-year-old Ivan, who had cerebral palsy and epilepsy, died at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington, London.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who suggested suspending prime ministers' questions as a mark of respect, said every child was "precious and irreplaceable" and that the death of a child "was something that no parent should have to bear".
'Short life'
Mr Hague told MPs he had spoken to Mr Cameron, who wanted to pass on the family's thanks for their messages of condolence and say how "hugely grateful" they were to the NHS staff who had helped Ivan throughout his life.
Mr Hague said: "Ivan's six years of life were not easy ones. His parents lived with the knowledge for a long time that he could die young, but this has made their loss no less heart-breaking...
"Ivan suffered much in his short life, but he brought joy and love to those around him and, as David himself has said in the past, for him and Samantha he will always be their beautiful boy."
Gordon Brown, William Hague and Vince Cable offer their condolences to David Cameron
Deputy Lib Dem leader Vince Cable, who is standing in for Nick Clegg, also expressed his condolences in a short statement.
Commons Speaker Michael Martin then suspended the sitting until 1230 GMT "as a mark of respect to Ivan".
Mr Cameron, who has been leader of the UK's official opposition since 2005, had been an MP for Witney, in Oxfordshire, for less than a year when Ivan was born in April 2002.
He suffered from Ohtahara syndrome, a very rare form of epilepsy characterised by spasms which start in the first days of life. Some children can suffer as many as 100 seizures every day.
Describing the moment when he learned of Ivan's disabilities, Mr Cameron told the Sunday Times in 2005: "The news hits you like a freight train.
"You are depressed for a while because you are grieving for the difference between your hopes and the reality. But then you get over that, because he's wonderful."
NHS praise
The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson said Mr Cameron's experience of looking after Ivan, who needed round-the-clock supervision, had shaped Mr Cameron's character and his attitude to the NHS.
Friends have previously attributed Mr Cameron's "modernising" leadership of the Conservatives to the NHS care Ivan received.
The illness has also helped the Tory leader realise that there was more to life than politics, they have said.
In a 2007 speech, Mr Cameron said: "I help care for a severely disabled child - my son.
Ivan Cameron with Samantha Cameron
"It's what I do at the start of each day. It's sharpened my focus on the world of care assessments, eligibility criteria, disability living allowance, respite breaks, OTs, SENCOs, and other sets of initials.
"But I would not dare to call myself a carer. The work that full-time carers or those with little extra help do is unbelievable."
But he also spoke of how proud he was of Ivan, saying in another interview: "He is a magical child with a magical smile that can make me feel like the happiest father in the world.
"We adore him in ways that you will never love anybody else, because you feel so protective."
London Mayor Boris Johnson, an old school friend of Mr Cameron, said: "I was shocked at the terrible news this morning of the death of Ivan Cameron. My deepest sympathies are with David, Samantha, Nancy and Arthur."
Senior Conservatives in Oxfordshire, where Mr Cameron's Witney constituency is located, also expressed deep sympathy for the Camerons.
Keith Mitchell, leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: "David and Samantha have been inspirational in their care and support for Ivan. This will be a very sad blow for them both."
Shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague will stand in for Mr Cameron as Conservative leader while he takes time off, it is understood.
|
Saftlad
|
Very sad news my heart goes out to them.
|
Louise (Admin)
|
Thank You for posting This Julie, I have been too busy to get on here much today (Again  )
I must admit, I shed a Tear when I heard the news.
RIP little one.
|
PixieSnowBunny
|
This is just so sad. My heart goes out to his parents and siblings.
|
Dolly Dimple
|
Very very sad news 
|
urbangirluk
|
This is such sad news, my heart goes out to them
|
~Lacey~
|
Such a tradegy for the Cameron family. My heart goes out to them. 
|
Julie C
|
R.I.P. Ivan, our thoughts & prayers go out to the family & friends, take care luv Juliexx
|
FlakeySugarButt
|
I saw this on the front of a newspaper when I was doing the school run today. Such a lovely picture of Mr Cameron holding his son and kissing him on the forehead with the title "My Beautiful Boy" It was quite gut-wrenching.
RIP Little Boy. Be at peace now.
|
Shar
|
Very sad news.
|
Lady Rachel
|
this is very sad.
|
|
|
|