Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his fiancee Carrie Symonds have announced the birth of a son.
A spokeswoman for the PM and his partner said both mother and baby are “doing very well”.
It is understood Mr Johnson, who has just recovered from coronavirus, was present throughout the birth, at an NHS hospital in London.
“The PM and Ms Symonds would like to thank the fantastic NHS maternity team,” the PM’s spokeswoman added.
The couple have received messages of congratulation from across the political spectrum, and the PM’s father Stanley said he was “absolutely delighted” and “thrilled” by the birth of his grandson.
‘Wonderful news’
Mr Johnson, 55, and Ms Symonds, 32, announced in March that they were expecting a baby in “early summer”, and that they had become engaged at the end of last year.
They are the first unmarried couple to move into Downing Street together.
The baby is Ms Symonds’ first child, while Mr Johnson is known to have fathered five.
Mr Johnson returned to work on Monday, after a battle with coronavirus which saw him spend three nights in intensive care. Ms Symonds also suffered symptoms of the disease.
Ms Symonds said on social media that she had spent a “worrying” week in bed with the symptoms of the virus while the PM was self-isolating with the the disease.
‘Wonderful news’
She later sent Mr Johnson baby scans and daily messages while he was in hospital, to keep his morale up.
Australian prime minister Scott Morrison and Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe were among the first international leaders to offer their congratulations.
Mr Johnson’s Conservative colleagues have also been congratulating the couple on social media, with Health Secretary Matt Hancock saying: “So thrilled for Boris and Carrie. Wonderful to have a moment of unalloyed joy!”
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer also offered his congratulations on the “wonderful news”.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tweeted: “Some good news – sending congratulations to Carrie and the PM. And wishing health and happiness to the wee one.”
Arlene Foster, the First Minister of Northern Ireland, congratulated the couple, adding: “More sleepless nights ahead!”
Mr Johnson has previously indicated he will take paternity leave but it is not known if his plans have changed, in light of the coronavirus emergency.
The four children from Mr Johnson’s second marriage, to barrister Marina Wheeler, are in their 20s. He was reported to have reached a divorce settlement with Ms Wheeler in February.
Source: BBC
