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Cameron's disabled son Ivan dies Cameron's eldest son Ivan dies
(20 minutes later)
Conservative leader David Cameron's eldest son Ivan has died in hospital.Conservative leader David Cameron's eldest son Ivan has died in hospital.
The six-year-old, who had cerebral palsy and epilepsy, became ill overnight and was taken to St Mary's hospital where he died early Wednesday. The six-year-old, who had cerebral palsy and epilepsy, became ill and was taken to St Mary's hospital overnight where he died early on Wednesday.
A Conservative spokesman said: "David and Samantha would ask that their privacy is respected at this terribly difficult time."
Mr Cameron, who described Ivan as "wonderful", and wife Samantha have two younger children, Nancy and Arthur.Mr Cameron, who described Ivan as "wonderful", and wife Samantha have two younger children, Nancy and Arthur.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown led tributes, saying Ivan was "a child who brought joy to all those who knew him and his was a life surrounded by love".
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.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." "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."
'Wonderful''Wonderful'
Responding to news of Ivan's death, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "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. Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "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."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.""The thoughts and prayers of the whole country are with David, Samantha and their family."
Mr Brown and wife Sarah lost a daughter, Jennifer Jane, in 2002, who was 10 days old when she died in hospital in Edinburgh.
Mr Cameron, who has been leader of the UK's official opposition since 2005, had been an MP for Witney, in Oxfordshire, for less than a year when Ivan was born in April 2002.Mr Cameron, who has been leader of the UK's official opposition since 2005, had been an MP for Witney, in Oxfordshire, for less than a year when Ivan was born in April 2002.
David Cameron was with Ivan when he met the Archbishop of York on Christmas dayDavid Cameron was with Ivan when he met the Archbishop of York on Christmas day
He suffered from Ohtahara syndrome, a very rare form of epilepsy characterised by spasms which start in the first days of life. Some children can suffer as many as 100 seizures everyday.
Describing the moment when he learned of Ivan's disabilities, Mr Cameron told the Sunday Times in 2005: "The news hits you like a freight train.Describing the moment when he 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.""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."
The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson said Mr Cameron's experience of looking after Ivan, who needed round-the-clock care, had shaped Mr Cameron's character and his attitude to the NHS. The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson said Mr Cameron's experience of looking after Ivan, who needed round-the-clock supervision, had shaped Mr Cameron's character and 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.
"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."
Shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague will stand in for Mr Cameron as Conservative leader while he takes time off, it is understood.Shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague will stand in for Mr Cameron as Conservative leader while he takes time off, it is understood.