Cameron praises bravery of parents

The Tory leader, who is said to have been profoundly moved by the murder of the 11-year-old in Liverpool, said his death should not just be allowed to become "another testimony of despair".

In an emotional speech at Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, he warned that unless everyone in society took responsibility, "our shock today will turn into a shrug tomorrow".

He asked how many more parents would have to "bury their children before we decide to choose a different path for our society?"

Mr Cameron said: "The brutal and callous murder of Rhys Jones has shocked us all. What his parents said when they spoke of their loss of their boy, of their child, and what he meant to them, was so powerful and moving.

"Their bravery - and their sense of social responsibility - in doing their broadcast after everything they had been through was awe inspiring."

Aides to the leader said he had originally intended to focus on military issues but changed his speech following Mr and Mrs Jones's interview about their son.

Mr Cameron said as part of the social covenant, the music and media industry had to take responsibility for their output and its effects on society.

He argued, the Government has failed to create a culture of respect and responsibility. Poor behaviour is matched with rewards, schools are undermined and the tax and benefits system sends out signals that "undermines families, penalises commitment and reinforces family and social breakdown".

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith rejected suggestions that there had been a breakdown of society. She told Channel 4 News: "To suggest that this issue of serious gun violence is something that is happening everywhere is wrong. I think to suggest that our society is breaking down is wrong.