Ivan Cameron has died

Very sad news.

David Cameron’s severely disabled son, 6 year old Ivan, died earlier this morning after becoming ill last night at St Mary's Hospital. Ivan suffered from cerebral palsy and severe epilepsy. Ivan’s death was unexpected.

My sympathies go out to David and Samantha Cameron.

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Mr Cameron will now take a leave of absence and William Hague will fill in for him.

This will include deputising for him at PMQs today. Gordon Brown is likely to step aside and allow Harriet Harman to take his place also during PMQs. Nick Clegg is already away as he is on paternity leave.

Gordon Brown has also suffered the tragedy of losing a child. His first child, Jennifer Jane, died just 10 days after she was born. He now has two sons. His eldest, Fraser, has cystic fibrosis.

UPDATE: PMQs has been cancelled today. Instead, representatives from each party will make a short statement. This is probably the right decision as partisan politics as normal is inappropriate today.