Cameron's son tragically dies

TORY leader David Cameron's young son tragically died early this morning.

Brave Ivan, six, who Mr Cameron has described as 'wonderful', suffered from cerebral palsy and had been in and out of hospital all his life.

It is believed he suffered a bout of fits overnight at St Mary's hospital in west London and could not be saved.

Mr Cameron and wife Samantha were said to be devastated.

A Conservative Party spokesman confirmed the tragic news saying: -It is with great sadness that David and Samantha Cameron must confirm the death of their six-year-old son Ivan.

-Ivan, who suffered from cerebral palsy and severe epilepsy, was taken ill overnight and died at St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, early this morning.

-David and Samantha would ask that their privacy is respected at this terribly difficult time.

Privacy

Today's Prime Minister's Questions have been cancelled in a historic mark of respect for the death of Mr Cameron's son.

Commons authorities agreed to scrub the weekly clash between the Tory leader and Premier Gordon Brown.

Westminster experts say PMQs has never deliberately been cancelled.

Mr Brown – whose own son Fraser suffers from cystic fibrosis – led condolences today 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."

Ivan was diagnosed with Ohtahara Syndrome - a very rare epilepsy syndrome that occurs in childhood.

He was frequently in and out of hospital and needed round-the-clock care and treatment.

The Camerons were always braced for tragedy but had begun to plan how they might move into Downing Street with a severely handicapped child.

Only three weeks ago Mr Cameron told The Sun's deputy political editor Graeme Wilson how he had taken Ivan sledging for the first time.

The couple have two other children, Nancy, five, and Arthur, three.

On learning of his son’s illness, Mr Cameron said: "It hits you like a freight train because all the expectations you have for your child change immediately."

He said the family discovered the illness only 24 hours after Ivan was born: "We noticed he was having these very strange movements — sudden jerky movements.

"Initially we were told he was fine. Then we went to hospital and ran some tests and we were told he had a very rare condition.

"It's a combination of epilepsy and cerebral palsy."

They worked tirelessly to care for Ivan and made no secret of his illness.

In a 2007 speech, Mr Cameron said: "I help care for a severely disabled child - my son.

"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."

A special unit was set up at St Mary's hospital, near their north Kensington home, to deal with his frequent seizures and fits.

Friends have previously said Mr Cameron’s -modernising leadership of the Conservatives was because of the NHS care Ivan received.

The illness also helped the Tory leader realise that there is more to life than politics, it was said.

Mr Cameron was due to join Lady Thatcher at a reception in Downing Street later today.

He was expected to accompany her to an unveiling of her portrait which will hang in number 10.