Conservative leader David Cameron's eldest son Ivan has died in hospital.
The six-year-old, who had cerebral palsy and epilepsy, became ill and was taken to hospital overnight where he died early today. Mr Cameron and his wife Samantha have two younger children, Nancy and Arthur.
A Conservative Party statement said: "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."
Gordon Brown, The Prime Minister, led tributes, saying Ivan was "a child who brought joy to all those who knew him and his was a life surrounded by love ..... 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. The thoughts and prayers of the whole country are with David, Samantha and their family."
Mr Brown and his wife Sarah lost a daughter themselves in 2002. Jennifer Jane was only 10 days old when she died in hospital.
Mr Cameron has been leader of the opposition since 2005 and had been an MP for less than 12 months when Ivan was born in April 2002. William Hague will be standing in for him while he spends some time with hid family.
Ivan suffered from Ohtahara syndrome which is a very rare form of epilepsy characterised by spasms which start in the first days of life. Some children can unfortunately suffer as many as 100 seizures everyday.
Describing the moment they 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."
Mr Cameron's experience of looking after Ivan, who needed round-the-clock supervision, has no doubt moulded his attitude to the NHS, which provided most of the care for Ivan.
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."
February 25th 2009 | 
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