British opposition leader's disabled son, Ivan dies

The severely disabled six-year-old son of David Cameron, leader of Britain's main opposition Conservatives and favourite to become the next prime minister, died yesterday.

"It is with great sadness that David and Samantha Cameron must confirm the death of their six-year-old son Ivan," a statement said.

"Ivan, who suffered from cerebral palsy and severe epilepsy, was taken ill overnight and died at St Mary's Hospital, Paddington (in London), early this morning.

"David and Samantha would ask that their privacy is respected at this terribly difficult time," it added.

It is understood Mr Cameron and his wife were with their son when he died.

Mr Cameron, 42, had spoken publicly of the condition of his eldest son and was frequently photographed with him. His official Christmas card last year showed him cradling Ivan as his wife cuddled the couple's two other children.

Ivan's death means that Britain's two top politicians have each suffered the loss of a child.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown's first child Jennifer died in 2002 just 10 days after she was born prematurely and suffered a brain haemorrhage. His second son Fraser, two, has cystic fibrosis.

Queen Elizabeth II sent a private message of condolence to the Camerons, Buckingham Palace said.

In an unusual step, the weekly Prime Minister's Questions session at the House of Commons, when Mr Cameron normally questions Mr Brown, was cancelled following the announcement of the death.

Instead, Mr Brown and William Hague - Conservative foreign affairs spokesman and Cameron's de facto deputy - read out sombre statements of sympathy before a crowded house.

"Every child is precious and irreplaceable and the death of a child is an unbearable blow that no parent should ever have to endure," said Mr Brown, his voice wavering.

"Sarah (Mr Brown's wife) and I have sent our condolences to David and Samantha and I know that the whole country, our thoughts and our prayers are with David, Samantha and their family today."

Mr Hague said Mr Cameron had passed on his thanks to those who had sent their sympathy.

"Ivan's six years of life were not easy ones. His parents lived with the knowledge for a long time that he could die young but this has made their loss no less heartbreaking," Mr Hague said.

"As David himself has said in the past, he will always be their beautiful boy."

Parliamentary business was suspended for 25 minutes "as a mark of respect to Ivan," Speaker Michael Martin said.

Cerebral palsy is an incurable disorder in which damage to the brain causes problems with muscle movement and coordination.

The state-run National Health Service (NHS) estimates that one in every 500 children is born with the condition in Britain.

Ivan, who needed round-the-clock care and regular hospital treatment, could not walk or talk and had to be fed via a tube through his stomach.

Mr Cameron has discussed how Ivan's life has influenced his decisions and outlook, helping inform his support of controversial research involving hybrid human-animal embryos and bringing him into contact with a many ordinary families who also have disabled children.