91Èȱ¬

My son was affected by ALL Leukaemia that was discovered a few days before his fourth birthday. The whole family went through hell and our lives were turned upside down. It was a life changing experience. There was pain mixed with guilt and despair. I wish Mr. Brown and his family all the best.

My heart goes out to them

Naturally I wish the Browns all the best - but still, I bet any money you like that any treatment little Fraser and his family gets, will be faster and better than the treatment experienced by the vast majority of families who find themselves in similar circumstances and dependent on the NHS.

It really makes you think about what a lottery having a child can be. What the Browns have been through is heartbreaking.

I feel very sad for the Browns. But I hope that their tragedy will spur the goverment into providing more funding for research into these horrible genetic diseases. Maybe a little more of the defence budget could be shifted in that direction, to the greater benefit of British people and, indeed, of all mankind? We all know that cures for many diseases are possibly - it's just a matter of providing, funding, motivation, and telling animal rights activists to stay away from people who are working for all human and animalkind......

Well, I don't have CF, but I am aware that with the right monitoring, drugs and physio, children and adults with CF have a lot better life expectancy than previously. I do, however, have a different impairment and I know from that directly that this child's ability to iive the life he chooses to live is directly connected to to the attitude his family has. Good luck to the Browns, because they will need it.

Every child in the world belongs to us all they are the only true wealth we will ever have.

So why do we have to give money to charities to fight these terrible conditions? mankind spends untold amounts of wealth on wars, just think what we could archive if we used all this wealth on finding cures and helping each other.
PEOPLE BEFORE PROFITS.

Some people are making political points about the NHS and defence spending above. Regardless of politics and personality, this is a private matter for the Brown family and has nothing to do with public policy. We should leave it that way.

I don't know why the 91Èȱ¬ is reporting this, they kept quiet on some family matters relating to the Blairs and should respect the Browns' privacy too.

I can't believe that Mary thinks this is a moment to score cheap political points. I'm sure there is no question of Gordon Brown resorting to private health care - he didn't when his daughter Jennifer was prematurely born and fighting for her life, and indeed praised the NHS hospital for their sadly unsuccessful efforts to save his baby. For the Browns to be hit by this second tragedy affecting another one of their babies is truly sad.

My thoughts and best Wishes goes out with the family. But we should not be disappointed as Science has been so revolutionary in the last decade that you never know ,you could have a breakingnews on 91Èȱ¬ Breakfast tom about the breakthrough achievment made in the treatment of Cystic Fibrois .

"Everyone's thoughts will be with Gordon and Sarah Brown tonight"
Eh - no they wont because I have my own issues to deal with.
I do not know Mr & Mrs Brown but I wish them well, however I am thinking of the people I am related to, work with and care for who have problems and are not in the media spotlight

Why would ALL our thoughts be with Gordon Brown and his family?

My thoughts are with kids in worse positions: Living in slums and no food, kids with AIDs in Africa, kids without parents living on the street, abused kids, kids being killed for political, ethnic or religious reasons.

Ok, it's sad for Gordon and even more sad for his kid but at least he'll get enough to eat and plenty of medical attention.

Kids elsewhere get nothing.

Is it just me?

I fail to understand why this is news worthy and deserves such a prominent place on the 91Èȱ¬ News website.

It's a private matter and is of no concern or consequence to us the British public.

I'm surprised we didn't had "Breaking News" as the poor lad was taken into hospital with minor chest infections.

I do however wish to pass on my best wishes to the Brown's and wish them many many years of happiness with Fraser (and John)

My heart goes out to the Browns as well as all the other families that are suffering any sickness, especially with children.
But here we have a man who may be able to actually do something to stop children suffering in this country and other countries.
We should not need Children in Need, or Childline, we should not see children blown up in wars we are raging.
Gordon Brown can make a difference, if anything is going to make a man do something, this kind of thing will.
I hope it can be in time for his own child, but i hope i don't see any other child in Iraq on a dirty bed in a dirty hospital again also.
If you read this Mr Brown, do all in your power to help your own child, but also help ours, and the worlds children.

Mary - what parent wouldnt do, or spend what they could for their child - get a grip and cut the political spin, leave that to the experts.

Emily Thackray is indeed very much still with us and has, with another vibrant young woman with CF, launched the "Live Life then Give Life Campaign" to raise awareness about organ donation.

I am saddened for the Browns that they are being faced with health concerns for their son, particularly after losing their daughter. From my experience people with CF are a resilient lot and, if Miss Thackray's indomitable spirit is anything to go by, young Fraser will take his condition and life very much in his stride.

Best wishes to the Browns (and Miss Thackray)

In response to Mary's comment, "bet any money you like that any treatment little Fraser and his family gets..".

While I agree with you, is this really the time or place for politics? If you were in the same position, could you honestly say you wouldn't use whatever power or influence you had to get your child the best treatment? I know I would - and its not wrong - its natural.

Cystic Fibrosis is no longer the childhood killer that it was. The estimates of life span for many CF people has gone from "max 30" to "probably 50" - and the horizon keeps improving.

My athletic, strapping 6' 3" godson has the condition and you would never guess. Several trampolining champions took up the sport as a therapy for their CF condition.

Constant use of anti-biotics against lung infections is essential. However it is the "Creon" enzyme supplement that made the health breakthrough by enabling the digestion of fats.

CF can now be regarded as similar to diabetes in that a person is often capable of a long, self-sufficient, productive life.

However - the anti-biotics and all important "Creon" are not on free prescription for the many who now survive childhood. Possibly the Chancellor could address this problem.

Another adult area that needs attention is the education about the side-effects of CF on a teenager's sexual development. Puberty is delayed and CF produces infertility - although sexual abilities are not impaired.

Whilst the NHS CF clinics give some counselling to teenagers there is a general lack of information on these side-effects. These will become increasingly important when many more CF people take their normal places in adult society.

Tragic news, coming on the heels of the death of their daughter this must indeed be bitter news. But, Gordon & Sarah have each other and with love and luck they'll pull their family through this one. God Bless!

i'm sorry Mary but we take Nick's example and look at this as a personal issue for a family and not as a platform for making political points?

I think that anything that starts along the lines of "I feel very sorry for the Brown's" then follows with a big stinking, "But" is, today, quite distasteful.

my thoughts are with the Brown family today.

I have always had the impression that Grodon Brown is a strong man, a man of principle and that he was always spoken up for the vulnerable and the needy. It would be good to think that at this moment of personal crisis, the Brown family might be bouyed up by the good wishes and/or prayers of all of those other families he has helped. As you cash your tax credit this week, think of Gordon and Sarah

Message 3# and 6# I just knew somebody would find something to moan about. It's insulting to the Brown's and the NHS to suggest they would get faster treatment. Thou if you have any evidence for your allegations then please present it?

Also the Government has increased spending on the research for genetic diseases. It's not just a question of writing cheques but it needs the correct strategy, implementation and the correct skills base. The Prime Minister has been a loud cheerleader of the scientific community, he has also constantly taken every opportunity to take on animal rights activists. So lets have some balance here.

I wish Gordon Brown and his family the best, I'm sure they will get outstanding care from the NHS.

You have correctly said that all thoughts are with the Browns. Mr Brown is a brave man and I am sure Fraser will grow up as brave as his father. May God bless Fraser with a full, healthy and succesful life. I also hope that the media paparazzis do not take this as an opportunity for their own gains. Everyone should respect their privacy and especially, we must not make the life of Fraser any more difficult.

I'm 32, I suffer from Cystic Fibrosis and have every sympathy for Fraser Brown. I have very little sympathy for Gordon Brown. In funding the war in Iraq he has shown a flagrant disregard for the lives of thousands of people so I find it very difficult to feel any sympathy for him now that he is experiencing his own personal tragedy.

I very much doubt Frasers treatment will be compromised by the lack of investment in CF research and treatment and the NHS in general which has made life so difficult for those of us with CF who don't have future Prime Ministers as parents.

I remarked recently to a family member that CF will never receive an appropriate level of funding until someone very famous or very influential, parents a child with CF. Can't get much more famous and influential than Mr Brown. It's a shame however that another child has to be burdened with this disease before our Government starts to take it's effects seriously and invest the appropriate level of funding it should have being doing anyway as a matter of general principle.

I'm sorry everyone, it is a very sad story but it didn't warrant being lead story on the ten o clock news. The beeb spent over 5 mins with lives from Nick ( who normally I have great respect for). People are so blind, the exclusive is in the friend of Labour's Sun newspapers & I'm sorry to say Labours other helper the Beeb, who are looking for a new Chairman chosen by the PM or PM to be. Everyone should be ashamed about this story & should be thinking about poor little Fraser, instead of playing politics.

Scott

I thought that Nick's report that I saw on Newsnight last night was unique in that it was kind, caring, not patronising and without political gossip, and this from a person with politics running in his blood. I think this demonstrated that Nick Robinson is a "good" person. I believe that people who are "good" do a better job that those who are't.

I agree with Scott, it should be a private matter and not played thru the media. With this poor babys illness, I hear that parents need to spend a lot of time at hospitals and quality time with their children. So should Gordon Brown take a back seat from politics and his leadership bid, to help Sarah with the care the baby needs??

My husband has CF, and I know how difficult it is for him, and how difficult it has been for his parents. When he was born he was not expected to live past 2months, but he is now 25yrs old, and happly (i hope :P ) married to me, and hopefully with the advances in medical research he will live for a long time.

To cut a long story short, CF is horrible, and very deadly. But if you are healthy, excersize, and do everything the docs say, you can lead a relativly normal life.
It just means you have alot more sick days than the average person :) and quite alot of blood tests!

This is a private tragedy, not a national disaster. Like Scott, I was surprised that the 10 o'clock news led on the item and spent so much time on it.

Newsnight had the balance right - second item, concentrating on what it means for a child with cystic fibrosis and his or her parents. The 91Èȱ¬1 report was mawkish, strong on emotion and sentiment, short on rationality.

Please let the Browns get on with their private lives, in private, and get back to reporting matters of public interest - not what interests the public.

My thoughts are with Gordon Brown's family at this time.

To respond to the question frequently raised above as to why this is news - anything that reinforces the message that conditions such as CF affect us all is useful to help those who are going through a similar experience to Gordon Brown know that its not just them who are dealing with these issues.

I do not like personalising politics and I do not think the media should be intruding into somebody's private life but as a result of tonight's news report I'm confident that some people who would never have heard of or understood what CF is will now have an understanding, even if it is only a very general one.

Dear Nick,
Is Gordon Brown resigning to look after his child? If not then maybe you could explain to me why on earth the 91Èȱ¬â€™s political commentator is commenting on a baby’s illness. If this is a story at all (which I doubt) then it should be in the 91Èȱ¬â€™s Health pages.
And let’s remember who we’re talking about here. This is a man who sat back and said nothing as Britain was used as a stopping point for weapons used against many hundreds of innocent Lebanese civilians. My heart went out to the blameless children needlessly annihilated by these weapons.
No, I like the vast majority feel no sympathy for Gordon Brown whatsoever. But we best be ignored as we wouldn’t want to offend the sensibilities of the 91Èȱ¬ and the political elite. After all, real opinion is in such ‘bad taste’ these days.
Yours dismayed,
George Reddan

Really Mary - what a sad and pathetic post that was (number 3)

My daughter had CF and has never been left wanting for anything health wise. Many years ago she was picked for trialling a new treatment - £30 a day and this was over 10 years ago. No one blinked an eye and was put on it virtually straight away.

The CF Clinics do a great job out there whoever you are.

Grow up and get a life Mary

No doubt worry and anxiety lie ahead for the Brown family. But this little chap has and will continue to bring much joy and love to his parents. Illness can touch any family. It is after all part of life. Let them deal with this privately. Stop making this child a victim.

How typical of our political class and their media hangers on to be so presumptuous and presume that 'everyone's thoughts will be with .. the Browns'. The great British public have to bear their own crosses - terminal illness, the whole gambit of sickness both physical and mental. Debt and bills , the list is endless and nearly all them on circumstances less privileged than the Chancellor's. To add insult to injury it is the same Chancellor's raid on our personal finances that has reduced peoples ability to alleviate their own humble tragedies.

Being the parent of a CF child, I can sympathise with Mr & Mrs Brown, the news that your child has a condition for which there is no cure is earth shattering but Mr & Mrs Brown have to get on with being parents.

They need to start as they mean to go on & that means controlling the illness and not allowing it to control them, I wish them luck.

Oh & if the Chancellor/PM elect could get round to adding CF to the list of illnesses which are exempt from prescription charges, all the better.

My thoughts are with the Browns. I'm sure medical advancements of the future will make sure cystic fibrosis patients lead a normail life. I sincerely hope that our politicians should now review their health policy. They should make sure that the extra money injected into NHS should go patient care and research rather than managers.

Whether or not you like or agree with Gordon Brown now is completely immaterial. Our hearts go out to him and his family.

Come on Nick, are we realy expected to believe that all comments related to this story are sympathetic to Gordon Brown (as you've shown above). Gordon Brown...the second most powerful figure in a British government responsible for more needless death and destruction than any before it. Come on, be a little braver in your selection of comments please. You wont get in that much trouble, will you?
All the best,
Daniel

i have CF and maybe this unfortunate circumstance will push the government into providing free prescriptions for people who have CF, which they promised to do beofre thye got elected in 1997 and yet they still have not changed this. It is shocking that someone with diabeties gets there medication for free and people with CF do not. Maybe this will give the labour party sometihng to think about!

Clark (#14): No, it's not just you.

While this is undoubtedly a very hard time for the Brown family, it is essentially a private matter and I really fail to see why this story has to be given so much prominence in the media.

Mind you, it's probably good news for CF patients in general: anything that raises awareness of the disease is a good thing, and, call me a cynic if you like, but my guess is we're going to see increased government funding into CF research sometime soon.

Politics have no place here. This is about two parents who have just found out that one of their children is very ill.

My thoughts and prayers are with baby Fraser and his family.

I know nothing of CF, its effects or its limitations. I do however know about the love of a parent for their children and wish Mr Brown and his family all the best in coming to terms with the news.
While I do not feel that this is newsworthy from a political perspective as some people are treating it, I do feel that any publicity that may help further funding into genetic disorders by raising awareness is in the public interest.
I would never critise any action Mr Brown takes to help his child, if private care is better then so be it. There is no point trying to score a political point out of a fathers love for their child.

As the father of a daughter with CF who was diagnosed at birth, I hope that Fraser, like my own child remains well and active and isn't debilitated as many other sufferers of the condition are. But I echo the comment above. Now that we have such a high profile and influential person so closely impacted by CF, I hope the profile of this awful condition improves along with support and funding for the research programmes. I also wish Mr Brown refocuses his efforts into encouraging more people into becoming donars and in addressing the ridiculous need for adults with CF to pay prescrption charges for the drugs they need every day to keep themselves as fit & healthy as possible.

This is sad for the Brown's but it is not newsworthy. Politicians complain about media intrustion into their private lives and then we have this sort of extraordinary news. Sometimes it is hard not to be cynical about the motives.

I wish the Brown family the best in dealing with their difficulties - especially with the responsiblity Gordon Brown will soon take on.

With Nick R reminding us of Emily Thackray's continued efforts on behalf of CF and related problems (please, please read one of her websites at www.livelifethengivelife.co.uk), I ask - when will she finally be nominated for an honour?

It's very sad news for the Browns. Inevitably it will make their life very difficult and is likely to mean that as good loving parents they will want to focus the majority of their time on their child in these early precarious years.

Inevitably this is going to affect the Labour party also. Clearly there is little chance that Gordon Brown could consider abandoning his wife and child and running for the leadership now. I'm sure that for the good of his family and ultimately his country he will decide it's time to step away from the limelight all together.

This is not a time to criticise Mr Brown. So whilst many may say that some of the decisions at the Treasury have been very erratic of late, the rampant overspending, the tax credits system, the pensions collapse, the NI debacle just unfolding now to name just a few things, perhaps we should all just take a little time to consider that he has been through a very difficult time already and will inevitably go thro a very difficult time over the next few years. Perhaps it's not surprising that the running of the treasury has suffered and perhaps we should all just understand that this was perhaps inevitable - now that we understand a little more of what has been happening in his life.

Mr Cameron's message of support was entirely appropriate. As someone who, a number of years ago now, had to deal with difficult years of sleepless nights, he doubtless knows, more than most, how a tragedy such as this completely consumes one's life.

I guess now Mr Brown's old political ambitions probably seem to him to be almost completely irrelevant compared to the opportunity to spend every possible second with his family.

Some may say this is doubly cruel blow for Mr Brown, coming at a time, when unlike Mr Cameron who was an unknown opposition back-bencher when his life was consumed by his personal tragedy, was at the very threshold of the power he has sought for so many years.

But I know millions of us around this country will support him in placing his family first, not shirking his responsibilities, not asking his country to compromise or asking them to put up with a potential prime minister who's mind simply could never be on his job.

When Mr Brown steps down from the Treasury and proudly makes his way to the back benches as he now almost certainly will, regardless of political preference we should cheer him and thank him for having already tried to do a difficult and demanding job in very difficult circumstances and crucially for recognising both his and our priorities. His loyalty to his family, his country and finally his party will be unquestionable.

I was very sad when I heard about Gordon and Sarah's child having been diagnosed with CF. It must have been an earth-shattering blow, as I know how happy they both were when he was born and considering their earlier loss but children who are born and live with conditions bring a great deal of light and hope and love to this world. Through his illness, Fraser will bring countless joys to his parents and many heartaches I'm sure but his spirit will shine through regardless. I don't know why some are born with illness while others aren't, do any of us? What I do know is he's here, he made it this far and he'll be a blessing to the Browns.

As a person with CF, I can say that a full & happy life is attainable, despite the restrictions a very heavy load of medical treatment puts on my daily routine. I wish the Browns & all those affected with CF the very best. We learn to keep fighting because a life with medication is better than no life at all.

I do very much hope, as others have commented, that greater awareness of this most common of all genetic illnesses will be raised in the general population; and also that those in the government responsible for organising free prescriptions would finally add CF to the list. I am on 12 medications daily for the rest of my life, and find it outrageous that because I lost out in the genetic lottery I should have to pay for these. The CF Trust has been campaigning for free prescriptions since the 1970s - it would make some difference to our lives.

In reponse to Mary, message #3, Manjit message#27 asks for evidence about Gordon Brown receiving a better service than others in the NHS. Well, here it is. In Scotland, the health service is better funded than in England due to the Barnett formula which Gordon Brown vigourously defends. Thus babies in Scotland are routinely tested at birth for Cystic Fibrosis and will get the appropriate treatment straight away. In England lower funding levels mean the test is not routinely carried out and babies go untreated until much later. So in that sense Mary is right because Gordon Brown receives preferential treatment in the Scottish NHS

Is there any talk at Westminster about whetehr this terrible news affects Gordon Browns amnitions to be PM I wonder?

As a Disabled person myself, I think there have been some positives to come out of this. The news has, refreshingly, been treated with restraint in most media outlets. I get angry when words like "tragic" get bandied about, as though someone's position precludes their family from being Disabled. That also immediately confers a negative value judgement on the quality of life of others who are also Disabled, regardless of their impairment, or the relative impact it has on them. I'd like to think that we will now see Disability Issues - and not just curing diseases - pushed up the agenda, but that is a conversation for another time.

My thoughts are with Mr Brown and his family.
But I can't help but think where he sees his political future in light of this.
Both of the prospective Prime Ministers have chioldren with significant difficulties. How can Gordon Bron or David Cameron consider becoming this country's next Prime Minister when they should be putting their efforts into caring for their children. The PM's role is too demanding for them to be able to give their disabled children, and the rest of their families, the care and attention they will need for many years to come.
Oh wait, wives and nannies will have to pick up the burden. leaving Brown and Cameron to indulge their selfish desire for power rather than take care of their families.

I was deeply saddened when I first commented,plese consider this a continuation.

I consider myself priviledged to have nearly completed training to enter the medical profession. Even more so to have worked with children and young adults with CF. I still consider myself only slightly qualified to comment.

I agree with those who say people with the condition are in general resilient, a factor common to many people with chronic disease. There is always hope of new treatments, and If the media spotlight does any good then a reluctant so be it.

The NHS staff who will treat Fraser will no doubt do so as they would any other patient. With dignity, respect, and compassion. Considerations absent from too many responses here.

Personally I beleive that you should not compare tragedies in scale, tragic circumstance is tragic circumstance, and that is enough.

As a point of observation can I note that the Browns will have known since early August , and simply confirmed the fact now. Those without the knowledge to work this out for themselves could have read it in the report. Those implying political gain in this should be deeply ashamed.

I beleive Nick spoke for the silent majority at the start of his article. He certainly spoke for me. My heart continues to go out to the Browns.

I have no doubt that they will meet this challenge with the resolve they have demonstrated time and again. I only hope they appeciate the level of support and goodwill present for them.

Although my thoughts are with the Browns at present, I cannot recall much coverage being given to David Camerons' son who also has a disability that is common in this country.

Although I have no time for Brown whatsoever,I have a great deal of sympathy for him and his family.I hope his son has a long and happy life. One thing for sure,he'll not be at the back of the queue for any treatment. The young boy's
father,though,is a different matter.This man has been a disaster for this country,not his own,causing untold damage to thousands upon thousands of pensioners ,people on working tax credits ,mortgaging this country for generations to come etc. etc..He's been an unmitigated disaster,and it's time people woke up to the fact.

Agreeing with Richard Sloan, post #31. Also, although this is perhaps not the most important news story at the moment, it should remind us of something important: politicians are human too.
With warm and best wishes to the the Browns, especially baby Fraser.

What a truly compassionate piece of journalism by Nick last night on this story. I just wanted to pass on my thoughts to the 91Èȱ¬. More work like this would help bring the media closer to its public it seeks to serve. Well done !

Whilst clearly a personal set-back for the Browns and cause for all to express appropriate sympathies, I can't believe that the 91Èȱ¬ choose to major on this story when far more interesting stories abound - eg the State Dept Analyst revealing that the "special relationship" is dead on its feet and Blair is "routinely ignored" in Washington; the fact that Iraq has ground to a standstill because the Iraqis believe civil war is imminent. Does Nick Robinson want to be a serious political reporter or the "And finally" hack at the end of the news? Is this "dumbing down" or evidence that the relationship between the press and govt is too cosy by half? Pull your socks up, 91Èȱ¬.

What a load of sycophantic, sentimental old tosh.
No wonder Grade has left for ITV - he must be desperate to return the real world inhabited by those whose lives have been blighted by meddling mediocrity Brown. It's a PRIVATE matter.

The NHS may not be perfect but I know from personal experience, that when the health chips are down there are no safer hands.

My best wishes to the Browns & their sons & any other families facing the trauma of illness at this time.

Although it isn't nice to be told a relative has an illness. I cannot say my thougts are with Gordon and his family. I have a good friend whose daughter has the same condition and her wish is to live beyond 35. That is a brave young lady who is fighting daily.

Maybe a high profile person such as Brown may inject more funds to the CF related charities

I do not like Gordon Brown, or his Party Politics or his Prime Minister, but whose heart could not go out to him as a father, and a husband, upon hearing the news concerning his little boy? Good luck, Gordon, may God be with you.

Does the 91Èȱ¬'s Political Editor have no politics to report on?

#45 'All the political comments on this post should - at the very least - be put onto another page'

#49 'Politics have no place here.'

errrr...am I lost or is this the 'Political' Editors blog page, found on the 91Èȱ¬'s 'Political' web site.
Personally I am offended by all the comments about personal and family health problems.
But perhaps they're right though, politics would be a much nicer without all the…err…politics?

Congratulations on the variety of comments, Nick. It's encouraging.

Those complaining that politics should be kept out of this should contemplate the amazing coincidence that this sympathetic "news" story comes out the same week that the Charities Commission announced that it is to investigate the Smith Institute, an organisation closely associated with Brown.

This latter story, of course, seems to have been completely ignored by the not-left-wing-at-all 91Èȱ¬.

Wow, Nick, you make a great Agony Aunt. Your talents are wasted!

Well chosen comments by the way.

I'm really saddened that little Fraser has CF but what really saddens me is that people think this is not newsworthy.
CF is the Uk's most common genetic life threatning disease and yet still there is little known about it. We need people to know about this illness and the implications surrounding it - especially the fact that without new lungs, people are dying waiting for transplants.
It would be good if every new baby diagnosed made the headlines and helped get the message across but obviously they don't. Mr Browns profile was clearly going to mean this story got media interest and I'm glad it did. People don't care enough, and that makes me sad.
I am living with CF, I am a working mum and life can be difficult. Knowing there are people out there trying to make a difference means so much to me because this way babies like Fraser will have a much better chance in life.

My son has cystic fibrosis and I know what hard work on him and all the family it is.
We have been comparatively lucky. He has not suffered the post-code lottery for recieving the drugs he needs; he was diagnosed at 7 weeks; he lives 20 minutes from an excellent specialist centre; our GPs do not refuse to prescribe very expensive drugs; his schools have almost always been inclusive of his needs; he has had excellent cf specialist nurses.

This is not the same for everyone and although I feel sad for the Brown family as I do every time another baby or child is diagnosed, I hope that some of the inequalities of care can be addressed as a result of the publicity. As I write, there are moves afoot to "lose posts" of cf specialist nurses in Brighton as part of a hospital move. Clearly this is madness based on funding crises. So please Mr Brown, when you are ready, help the cf community.

Dear Nick,

I recently commented on another of the stories you reported on, and have to admit I was less than complimentary about your style of questioning as I thought it had led to embarrasment on the part of Israel's Prime Minister.

Can I just say that I thought the report you gave last night regarding the plight of Gordon Brown's child wass handled sensitively and responsibly.

Many thanks,
Sean Richards

Emily Thackray is a friend of mine and every detail written about her is true...she is strong, beautiful and incrediably inspiring. My father was also being considered for heart transplant a few years ago, so I've had a lot of contact with this area and the NHS. Quite frankly, if it didn't exist, my father wouldn't be alive today as we couldn't afford expensive medical care. The doctors are wonderful and amazing people-perhaps people should consider it is their own discomfort with the idea of organ donation that has continued the suffering of children and adults dying from this devastating disease? Personally I cannot think of a more beautiful thing you can do-to live life, then give life. Please please think about it and don't use this difficult time as a playground for politics. I may not support Mr Brown's political moves, however, I have a hard time believing he timed his son being diagnosed with CF with an important week in politics. hate to shatter any illusions but its not the kind of disease you can choose to happen when you wish it to. And sorry to anyone who's "offended" by my personal story, I suggest you spend some time getting some perspective and realise you're undermining and shaming humanity by having not an ounce of compassion for a family in a time of hardship; a mere fraction of the huge cf community. I am probably a good deal younger than most of the people who have commented, and it saddens me to think those twice my age have closed and hardened hearts and minds. I shudder to think some of you might even be pleased that the Browns are suffering-are you saying that the severe shortening of this child's life compensates for the innocents killed in Iraq? More undeserved death does NOT make up for it, you ought to be ashamed. Emily Thackray however is a fantastic example of the beauty and positivity that can arise from such an affliction; i am sure she could have worded this so much better than me and I just wanted to say I am so so proud to call her my friend. I hope some more awareness and support will reach those who had previously no understanding of CF.

P.S. in reference to what I said about people being many years my age...if you're not, you certainly sound it. OPEN YOUR MINDS.

Nick,

On the news (and on your blog entry) you said that you ordered your cameraman to avert his lens from Gordon Brown when he became visibly moved by a speech he was listening to.

It doesn't really inspire much confidence in the 91Èȱ¬'s impartial status if you deciding to self-censor, does it?

Your job is to report the news, not decide what it should be. No wonder people are trusting the word of people like Iain Dale and Guido Fawkes over you to a greater and greater extent. Perhaps you have become too close to the government, which is always a danger for a lobby correspondent.

Come on David, just think about that for a moment. Does the fact that Nick asked the camera crew not to show Gordon Brown crying really make him "too close to the government" or does it just make him a person?
Would you really like to be shown crying on television in front of millions of people?
Choosing not to show the Chancellor crying is hardly "deciding what the news should be", it's more about just being a bit nice, surely!
Best wishes, Alice

also... you must have rattled him a bit..... he started saying nukuler again. :)

Who putt this news in 91Èȱ¬'s basket?