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.