Extremely sad news has just reached us.
David Cameron's son, Ivan, died earlier today.
The BBC has more.
Needless to say, we send our deepest condolences to David, Samantha and the Cameron family.
Jonathan Isaby
11.45am:
The death of a child is a terrible, terrible thing. Extra terrible to have to cope with such an enormity when in the public eye. There are probably no words of comfort that can help the Camerons today but we offer them our thoughts and prayers. Janet Daley has posted a beautiful poem.
We are all shaped by our experiences. Close friends of David Cameron all say that Ivan was a huge influence on him. It put his politics in perspective but it also contributed to his respect for the NHS and to his support for policies that help keep families together and strong.
The Conservative leader loved his son enormously. His family life was built around his care. All those close to the Camerons, and all those who visited his home, witnessed the huge demands involved in the care of such a severely disabled child. The amount of time that Cameron spent away from the office sometimes worried political advisors but every mother and father would understand why Cameron chose to devote so much time to his precious son and to support Samantha.
Politics will soon resume but Gordon Brown - who lost his own baby daughter - issued this statement:
"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."
Tim Montgomerie
Very sad news. Deepest sympathy to the Cameron family.
Posted by: Ted | February 25, 2009 at 09:37
Extremely sad news.
May Ivan Cameron Rest In Peace.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this difficult time.
James Malcolm
Posted by: James M | February 25, 2009 at 09:39
A tragic event, as a father I can't imagine how the Cameron family is feeling today. Our politics may differ but my thoughts are with you all today.
Posted by: Neil Fraser | February 25, 2009 at 09:40
Very sad news. I trust we wont see him at PMQs today.
Posted by: H Taylor | February 25, 2009 at 09:40
This is very sad.
I’m sure that everyone here will have the deepest sympathy for the grieving parents who were so obviously dedicated to their son.
Posted by: David_at_Home | February 25, 2009 at 09:41
My heartfelt sympathies go out to all the family.
Posted by: Richard | February 25, 2009 at 09:41
Very sad news indeed. Condolences to the Cameron family.
RIP Ivan
Posted by: Pauline Buffham~ now in Bangkok | February 25, 2009 at 09:42
I would just like to say what very sad news, and I would also like to send my heartfelt condolences to Samantha and David Cameron and their family.
Posted by: Patsy Sergeant | February 25, 2009 at 09:42
Terribly sad news. I can only imagine what they're going through. My thoughts and prayers are with them.
Ed
Posted by: Ed West | February 25, 2009 at 09:43
I can't think of anything worse than to outlive one of your own children. Mr. Cameron and his family have my deepest sympathies.
Posted by: Walter West | February 25, 2009 at 09:43
How awful. Condolences from my family.
Posted by: Paul Jemetta | February 25, 2009 at 09:43
Terrible tragedy. All our thoughts are with him & that.
Posted by: asquith | February 25, 2009 at 09:43
My thoughts also go out to David Cameron and his family x
Posted by: Omar Kader | February 25, 2009 at 09:43
Deepest commiserations to the Cameron family.
Posted by: John Broughton | February 25, 2009 at 09:45
I am in shock. I feel very much for the Camerons and, like others, my thoughts and prayers are with them at this very sad time.
May God givem the the strength that they will so need and look after little Ivan. RIP.
Posted by: Justin Hinchcliffe | February 25, 2009 at 09:45
So so sad. Thoughts are with the Cameron's.
Posted by: Andrew Woodman | February 25, 2009 at 09:46
This is deeply sad news. As someone who lost a child in 1992, the pain never goes away and I can relate to the deep sorrow David and Samantha must be feeling. My thoughts and prayers are with them.
Posted by: Parvez | February 25, 2009 at 09:47
How dreadfully sad. Deepest sympathies and best wishes to the Cameron family.
Posted by: London Tory | February 25, 2009 at 09:48
Very, very sorry David and Family. I shall say a prayer for you at mass this morning.
Your relationship with Ivan was a testament to the value of human life and the urgent responsibility of Conservatives to defend and protect all people, regardless of age or disability, to dignify all of humanity.
Posted by: Hugh Oxford | February 25, 2009 at 09:48
Very sad news. A terrible blow to the family.
Posted by: Edward Huxley | February 25, 2009 at 09:49
This is very sad news.
My deepest condolences to the entire Cameron family.
May God rest Ivan's soul in peace, and may He give the David and Samantha the strength to handle their loss.
Posted by: Rula | February 25, 2009 at 09:49
Sincerest condolences to every one of the family.
Posted by: Ben Locker | February 25, 2009 at 09:50
What horrible, horrible news. The office has just gone very quiet after this broke on the BBC.
Posted by: Rightwingery | February 25, 2009 at 09:51
A blow that no one can imagine, truly my heart goes out to the Cameron family at this difficult time.
Posted by: Scott | February 25, 2009 at 09:51
Gut wrenching. Words are inadequate. RIP.
Posted by: Peter Botting | February 25, 2009 at 09:52
such desperately sad news. Have just read Cameron on Cameron, and the dedication and love which has been poured into Ivan's all-too-short life just shines out of those pages.
Posted by: Jane Gould | February 25, 2009 at 09:53
I am so Sorry David. We shall be thinking of you and your family.
Posted by: Alex Perkins | February 25, 2009 at 09:53
Such sad news. Sincere condolences to all the Cameron family.
Posted by: The Rifle | February 25, 2009 at 09:53
Very saddened. Condolences to the family.
Posted by: Peter Law | February 25, 2009 at 09:53
May he Rest in Peace.
My prayers and deepest sympathies to the Cameron family.
Posted by: Pat Guide | February 25, 2009 at 09:54
Heartbreaking news, deep condolences!.
Posted by: steve | February 25, 2009 at 09:54
Very sad news. The worst thing for a parent is to see their child die. I have had the same experience die and emotionally its crippling. My thoughts are with David's family.
Posted by: Adam | February 25, 2009 at 09:55
A horrible day. RIP.
Posted by: Tim Roll-Pickering | February 25, 2009 at 09:55
As someone whos baby daughter died almost a year ago, I'm very sad that David and his family have to experience this. My condolences.
Posted by: Paul | February 25, 2009 at 09:57
I'm not a Tory, being disabled and helping out with disabled children, it's sad to hear of any death of a child.
a sad day.
Posted by: Robert | February 25, 2009 at 09:58
God Bless.
Posted by: michael mcgough | February 25, 2009 at 09:58
Deepest condolences.
Posted by: snegchui | February 25, 2009 at 09:58
Sad News my condolances to the family
Posted by: bexie | February 25, 2009 at 09:59
I echo everything that has been said on this thread already. I felt incredibly sad to just read this, and my heartfelt sympathies are with David, Samantha and the whole family.
Posted by: James Hopkins | February 25, 2009 at 09:59
What terrible news; I send my heartfelt sympathy to the Cameron family on the loss of little Ivan.
Posted by: Susan | February 25, 2009 at 09:59
Oh that is terrible news.
Posted by: GB£.com | February 25, 2009 at 10:00
My thoughts and prayers are with Mr Cameron and his family. It's hard to know what else to say. Such sad news.
Posted by: Simon Beresford | February 25, 2009 at 10:01
Very distressing News. My thoughts and prayers are very much with
Posted by: Dan Boucher | February 25, 2009 at 10:04
Dreadful news, my deepest condolences.
Posted by: YMT | February 25, 2009 at 10:05
Awful News, My thoughts go out to the Cameron's.
Posted by: Alex Simpson | February 25, 2009 at 10:06
My thouhts and prayers are with Samantha and David in their terrible loss. Rest in peace Ivan you will always be remembered as a lovely human being.
Posted by: Gwendo | February 25, 2009 at 10:06
My wife and I write to express our deepest sympathy to David and Samantha Cameron who have shown such love for Ivan during his short life.
Posted by: David Belchamber | February 25, 2009 at 10:06
Very sad news. My sincere condolences to the family.
Posted by: Angelo Basu | February 25, 2009 at 10:07
Terribly sad news. The ultimate heartbreak for a parent. God bless them all.
Posted by: Michael McGowan | February 25, 2009 at 10:08
So terribly sorry - my heart goes out to the family!
Posted by: Sally Roberts | February 25, 2009 at 10:08
This is awful news. I hope that the family can feel the thoughts and prayers that everyone who hears of this will be sending to them. All of our thoughts are with them at this sad time.
Posted by: Steven | February 25, 2009 at 10:09
This is such terribly sad news.
My sympathies and prayers go to David and his family.
Posted by: Horace Wimp | February 25, 2009 at 10:12
What everyone else has said.
Deepest condolences to David and the family.
Posted by: Neil Reddin | February 25, 2009 at 10:12
Very sad news. My condolences to Mr Cameron and his family.
Posted by: Julian Ware-Lane | February 25, 2009 at 10:12
Ivan had six years of love from his family.
Our thoughts are with the Cameron family at this time.
Posted by: Peter Golds | February 25, 2009 at 10:14
Tragic news. My thoughts are with the whole Cameron family at this time.
Posted by: David | February 25, 2009 at 10:15
This is deeply tragic. May God bless Ivan `s soul.
May he rest in peace.
Posted by: Fredrik Ingemarsson | February 25, 2009 at 10:15
This is very sad news, my thoughts are with the Cameron family.
Posted by: Will Yoxall | February 25, 2009 at 10:17
Terrible, terrible news. Requiescat in pace.
Posted by: Anthony Lenaghan | February 25, 2009 at 10:17
Deepest condolences at this time of great sorrow.
Posted by: John Leonard | February 25, 2009 at 10:21
Sad news indeed. poor kid, but he was well looked after and loved.
is it true that Nick "Toenails" Robinson said on the BBC that Cameron can't expect any electoral advantage from this tragic event "as Gordon Brown has already lost a child of his own".
disgusting
Posted by: Toby | February 25, 2009 at 10:21
God bless the child and God bless his memory.
It sounds trite but I'm sure the whole political world and the public share the sense of empathy with the family.
Hopefully this will be a time for quiet grief and the guady tabloids will lay off it and give the family peace for a short while.
Posted by: Jim Dodd | February 25, 2009 at 10:21
Prayers and thoughts with the Camerons today, God bless
Posted by: Michael S Hearn | February 25, 2009 at 10:22
My deepest sympathies and condolences to the Cameron family.
As one family to another, you will be in our prayers at this sorrowful time.
Posted by: Mike Thomas | February 25, 2009 at 10:23
My condolences to the Cameron family - terribly sad news.
Posted by: John D | February 25, 2009 at 10:27
Like all the other parents out there, I am deeply saddened by this news. It shouldn't have to happen to anyone.
Posted by: Serf | February 25, 2009 at 10:27
My wife and I send our deepest sympathies to Mr And Mrs. Cameron. So shocked to hear such tragic news.
Posted by: Robert and Margaret Trench | February 25, 2009 at 10:27
Apparently that odious Nick Robinson on the BBC said that Cameron should expect no electoral advantage from this.
If anyone deserves to be sacked from the BBC- surely Robinson should be for this.
Posted by: expatconservative | February 25, 2009 at 10:29
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