David Cameron's son has died ...

[BocciBalls]

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7909562.stm

[Threadworm]

Yes, that is a nice idea -- so long as it didn;t seem intrusive. David Cameron did a livechat didn't he? So there is a connection.

[MmeLindt]

How sad for the whole family.

[Habbibu]

That's what I thought, Threadie - he does know MN a bit, so I thought it would be appropriate. It really is incredibly sad. Have been thinking about it a lot.

[MaryAnnSingleton]

yes, nice idea

[JustineMumsnet]

Hi we've sent a note via his Press officer pointing to this thread which she said she'll pass on. Thanks for the thought.

[2shoes]

thank you

[BananaSkin]

So, presumably, David Cameron was bothered, on the worst day of his life, by his press office asking whether it would be OK if the picture appeared. Arses.

[Nabster]

Just what I though BananaSkin.

Such a terrible time for them all.

[gagamama]

So, so sad. Poor little boy, poor family.

I have to admit I was a bit about the Christmas card photo when it surfaced last year, it seemed very staged and a bit intrusive. But seeing other photos of a younger Ivan with his parents, I can see that it really wasn't. And I agree about the whole paparazzi/press office thing. There was a quote in one of the papers today about how Cameron was seen taking Ivan's wheelchair out of the car and bringing it inside. I was aghast that some rubbernecking journalist scum was loitering round his house waiting for him to do something 'poignant'.

[2shoes]

fio that is lovely I agree

[mm22bys]

Fiofio, that is a lovely piece.

[Maria2007]

I'm so very very sad by this news, the photograph in the paper of David Cameron with Ivan made me cry several times today. My heart goes out to the family and to all other families having to deal with such a tragedy.

Riven, thinking of you too. Hoping your DD is already much better!

[Doobydoo]

Very sad.
Riven I hope your dd is doing well in hospital.
I worked in a Childrens Hospice for a year and I can say with all truth that I met utterly fantastic parents and also children.

[tinseltot]

I heard the news of little Ivan's death on the radio whilst driving yesterday afternoon. My reaction was to gasp, then i had to blink furiously to keep tears back. Life can be so cruel and unfair. The poor little mite had such a short life. I cannot even imagine how desperate and devastated David and Samanther must feel, perhaps something akin to being torn in half. They were obviously devoted to their son and many will have much respect for how open and honest David was about his son's medical conditions. The pics of David and Ivan together are beautiful.

Words cannot express how much sympathy i have for Ivan and his family. I just hope so much that the press leave them alone to grieve. It is just sickening that any newspaper editor could think it justifiable to publish pictures of parents taken within hours of their little boy's death. Shame on them.

[tinseltot]

Riven - sorry to hear that your little dd is in hospital. I hope that they have been able to help her and that she is feeling better.

[PillicockSatOnPillicockHill]

gagamama

you would THINK that some press have the dignity to leave them alone but hey ho

[Melscorp]

My heart goes out to anyone who has lost a child. My brother and sister-in-law lost their baby son three and a half years ago and it is still heart wrenching. I would not wish this on anyone and I can not believe that the newspapers do not have the common decency to leave these people in peace. Do they not have heart???

[JustineMumsnet]

We've just received this mail from David Cameron's diary secretary:

David and Samantha Cameron have asked me to thank you very much for your
kind email, following the tragic loss of their son, Ivan, this week.

They are sorry that they are not able to reply personally to everyone
who has sent their condolences, but have asked me to let you know how
comforted they have been by the number of thoughtful messages they have
received. There really are some touching messages on your forum.

Everyone's support, at this most difficult and sad time, is deeply
appreciated by David and Samantha - thank you so much.

[Saltire]

Thanks for posting that Justine

[dontgive2shoites4daftpricks]

Aww that's lovely.
Very thoughtful of them to ensure all messages are responded to.