Boris Johnson's fiancee Carrie Symonds gives birth to baby boy

Boris Johnson's fiancée Carrie Symonds has today given birth to a healthy baby boy.

Congratulations poured in from across the political divide over the birth - which happened earlier than was widely expected in Westminster.

It comes days after Mr Johnson returned to work following an intensive care battle with coronavirus.

It is understood the 55-year-old PM was by the 32-year-old communications guru's side throughout the birth at a London hospital.

A spokesman for the couple said: "The Prime Minister and Ms Symonds are thrilled to announce the birth of a healthy baby boy at a London hospital earlier this morning. Both mother and baby are doing very well.

"The PM and Ms Symonds would like to thank the fantastic NHS maternity team." 

It comes weeks after the Prime Minister emerged from intensive care with coronavirus. Mr Johnson will miss PMQs in the Commons today with his deputy Dominic Raab taking his place.

The child arrived two months to the day after the couple announced she was pregnant and they were engaged.

At the time, the pair said the child – her first and at least his sixth – was due “in early summer”. That suggests the arrival may have been a few weeks premature.

But Ms Symonds' due date was never publicly released, and today's announcement comes almost nine months to the day after the couple moved into No10.

It has not been confirmed whether Mr Johnson will take paternity leave. Asked in March if he would, the PM replied: "Almost certainly, yes."

But the nation has since been engulfed by the coronavirus crisis - and Mr Johnson has only just regained the helm after almost a month off, where he had and recovered from Covid-19.