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Last week in Barry David Cameron was asked why he'd voted in favour of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill.

He was asked the question by someone who was clearly passionately, genuinely against the Bill, against any form, as he saw it, of tampering with nature. The question was posed politely and calmly but there was no disguising the strength of feeling behind it.

Mr Cameron didn't look at all surprised and was equally calm in explaining why he'd voted as he did.

It was about Ivan, about watching a 6 year old son who was sometimes - regularly - racked with pain, who had cerebral palsy, suffered horrendous epileptic fits and about asking himself as a father whether it was wrong to try anything that might lead to more understanding of conditions like his son's.

"I just found I couldn't say no", he said "and so I voted yes".

His answer made an impression, even among those who remained opposed to his policies and his party.

Ivan was taken ill last night and died in the early hours. To David, Samantha, Nancy and Arthur Cameron, deepest sympathy.

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