Tory leader David Cameron's moving tribute to son Ivan

'There’s a hole in our life so big words can’t describe it. Bedtime, bathtime, mealtime..nothing will feel the same,' says David Cameron.

Grief-stricken David and Samantha Cameron yesterday paid an emotional tribute to the son whose death had left “a hole in our lives so big that words can’t describe it”.

The couple said they “desperately” missed Ivan, six, as did their two younger children, Nancy, five, and Elwen, three,

Ivan, who had cerebral palsy and a rare form of epilepsy, died on Wednesday morning in hospital after suffering seizures during the night at the family’s West London home.

The Camerons made their first public comments since his death in the Tory leader’s weekly email to about 80,000 Tory supporters last night.

Mr Cameron wrote: “Sam and I have been overwhelmed by all the letters, cards, emails and flowers we have received about Ivan.

“Sending an email this week just gives us both a chance to say a big ‘thank you’. It means a lot to know that others are thinking of us and him.”

The Tory leader added: “We always knew Ivan wouldn’t live forever, but we didn’t expect to lose him so young and so suddenly.

“He leaves a hole in our life so big that words can’t describe it. Bed time, bath time, meal time – nothing will feel the same again.

“We console ourselves knowing that he won’t suffer any more, that his end was quick, and that he is in a better place. But we all just miss him so desperately. When we were first told the extent of Ivan’s disability, I thought we would suffer having to care for him but at least he would benefit from our care.

“Now, as I look back, I see that it was all the other way round.

“It was only him that ever really suffered and it was us – Sam, me, Nancy and Elwen – who gained more than I ever believed possible from having and loving such a wonderfully special and beautiful boy.”

In an extraordinary step this week’s session of Prime Minister’s Question Time was suspended as a mark of respect at the instigation of Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Ivan’s funeral will be held at a private ceremony in Oxfordshire on Tuesday attended by close family, friends and the carers who looked after him.

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