Tragedy as David Cameron announces death of son Ivan
Wednesday, 25 February 2009 11:08 AM
By politics.co.uk staff
The Conservative party has announced the tragic news that party leader David Cameron's son Ivan has died.
Ivan Cameron was severely disabled with epilepsy and cerebral palsy. He was the eldest of three children for the Tory leader and his wife Samantha. He died at 6.30am, 45 minutes after being admitted to St Mary's hospital it has been confirmed.
"It is with great sadness that David and Samantha Cameron must confirm the death of their six-year old son Ivan," a Conservative party spokesman said.
Mr Cameron was shown looking at Ivan, seated on his lap, with his family surrounding him in the Camerons' Christmas card sent out two months ago.
"The Tory spokesman added: "David and Samantha would ask that their privacy is respected at this terribly difficult time."
In a statement the prime minister offered his condolences to the Tory leader saying: "Sarah and I were very saddened to hear of the death of Ivan and we have sent our condolences to David and Samantha. The death of a child is a loss no parent should have to bear.
"I know Ivan was a child who brought joy to all those who knew him and his was a life surrounded by love.
"The thoughts and prayers of the whole country are with David, Samantha and their family."
In the House of Commons the prime minister went further by suspending prime minister's questions using the time instead to offer his condolences in a brief but clearly heartfelt statement to MPs in which he said the whole of the country would be thinking of the Conservative leader at this difficult time.
"I know that the whole house will want to express our sorrow at the death this morning of Ivan Cameron," he said.
"I know that in an all too brief young life he brought joy to those around him, and I know also that for all the days of his life he was surrounded by his family's love."
He added that while politics can sometimes divide them, they were united in their sympathy for the Cameron family.
Shadow foreign secretary William Hague then thanked the prime minister for his kind words and wishes.
He said he had spoken to Mr Cameron who had passed on his thanks to all those who have sent condolences.
"Ivan's six years of life were not easy ones, his parents lived in the knowledge he could die young," said Mr Hague.
"He brought joy and love to those around him."
He added: "He will always be their beautiful boy."
He said Mr Cameron had also wished to thank the many NHS workers who had been so helpful and worked so hard.
And he said we should remember too the thousands of families who are also deeply grateful for the work of such dedicated staff.
Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesman Vince Cable speaking on behalf of his party leader Nick Clegg said both he and his party had only the deepest sympathy for the Cameron family.
"There something especially sad and shocking about the loss of a child," he said.
"I would simply express the hope that the family are given the space and the privacy to cope and deal with tragedy."
Many more messages of sympathy have been flooding in on the
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