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Grieving David Cameron to take two weeks off
Joe Murphy, Political Editor26 Feb 2009
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.
Reader views (12)
god bless ivan my parents used to take ivan to his school and thought so much of him, may he rest in peace
- Jodie Purchase, surrey,uk, 26/02/2009 21:07
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Geoff Bailey. I presume from your tactless comments that God forbid your child should die, you will be straight back in work the next day? Mr Hague is a very competent and intelligent man who is more than a match for this government.
- Fq, London, UK, 26/02/2009 18:26
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I have often been shicked by some of the comments on this site, But Mr Bailey, your comment has to be one of the worst....the man has just lost his child!!! He has a deputy and maybe you are not bright enough to have worked it out - god knows it sounds like you are not too bright - but a deputy means someone able to stand in when you cannot be there. You say you are a parent, your children reading this comment will not only be deeply hurt but I would hope deeply ashamed of you.
- Nicky, Central London, 26/02/2009 18:05
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Geoff Bailey you are a disgrace.
As a parent you should realise the devistation that the parents of child that has died may feel. I truly hope that you NEVER have to go through what Mr & Mrs Cameron are going through now, and for a long time to come they will be grieving for the loss of their son Ivan.
As for two weeks, David Cameron should take as long as he sees fit, and to be there for Samantha in what must be their darkest hour.
God bless little Ivan, and god bless his family who are left behind to mourn him.
- Denise, London UK, 26/02/2009 17:23
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Geoff, taking time off when your eldest child has sadly died is not "maudlin sentiment". I can only guess from your words that you are a single man with no children. In fact I hope you are because if you are a parent I feel sorry for your children !!!
Considering Mr. Cameron's party is the shadow party and he has several people of a high standard who can stand in for him, there is no reason whatsoever to rush back from spending time with his wife and two remaining children. I'm not a fan of his at all, but at the moment he is grieving and should be allowed to do so.
- Louise, Essex, 26/02/2009 16:53
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Tom Bennett,
Mr Bailey has a point. I agree with you that there is too much sentiment and nonsense in modern Britain. But, and it is a big but, Cameron has just lost a six year old child whom he loved very dearly. Have some compassion for goodness-sake.
- Thomas, London, 26/02/2009 16:51
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I cannot believe the comment of Mr G Bailey.....Mr Cameron is surely a husband and father first and I would not call the death of a child "maudlin sentiment".
- Vikki, Bristol, 26/02/2009 16:30
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"he should be in Parliament to oppose the daily lunacies legislated by the Labour Party"
Why? William Hague is more than capable of doing it in his stead. In fact, he's a better PMQs performer than Cameron anyway.
- Michael, London, 26/02/2009 15:43
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Dear "Geoff",
As a god fearing peaceful man and someone who has dedicated his life to the word of God I can safely assume that you will rot in hell for your words about our future Prime Minister. If I had my way you would be strung up and hanged in front of 10 Downing Street. I would also include any offspring as well, nip it in the bud.
King regards
Rev Tom Bennett
- Tom Bennett, London, 26/02/2009 15:29
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As a parent I sympathise with Mr and Mrs Cameron. However, the business of the UK goes on and he should be in Parliament to oppose the daily lunacies legislated by the Labour Party. There is too much of this maudlin sentiment in modern Britain.
- Geoff Bailey, London, UK, 26/02/2009 14:03
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He should take as much time as he and his family need.
God Bless them all.
- Mike Melbourne, Bedford England, 26/02/2009 14:01
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Please, it is time to leave him to grieve.
- Stuart, UK, 26/02/2009 12:23
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