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Grieving David Cameron to take two weeks off
Joe Murphy, Political Editor26.02.09
David Cameron today began preparing for his son Ivan's funeral amid expectations he will take two weeks of compassionate leave.
The funeral will take place next week at the parish church at Dean, Oxfordshire, where the Camerons have their constituency home.
The Conservative leader today faced the sombre duty of registering his little boy's death and comforting wife Samantha and their two other children Arthur, three, and Nancy, five.
Mr Cameron last night spoke by telephone to Gordon Brown. The rival leaders are united in grief. Seven years ago, Mr Brown's daughter Jennifer Jane died at 10 days.
The Conservative leader's office has been deluged with flowers and letters of support and sympathy from the public.
The family is now asking people to send donations to Mencap or the Friends of St Mary's Hospital, Paddington, where Ivan died, rather than flowers.
William Hague, the shadow foreign secretary and effective deputy leader, will stand in for Mr Cameron during his absence.
The Commons was suspended yesterday in tribute to Ivan as MPs from across the political spectrum joined to express condolences to Mr Cameron.
Buckingham Palace said the Queen had sent a private message of sympathy.
Friends said that the experience of caring for Ivan broadened Mr Cameron's political outlook and made him a passionate supporter of the NHS.
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