Boris Johnson and his fiancée, Carrie Symonds, have announced the birth of their first child.
On Wednesday 29 April, a spokesperson 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.”
Follow our live blog for updates on the birth.
Boris Johnson and his partner, Carrie Symonds, have had a "healthy baby boy".
It is not yet known where Symonds gave birth, a spokesperson for the couple said she delivered her baby at a London hospital earlier this morning.
Boris will no longer be attending this week's session of prime minister’s questions – despite returning to No 10 to resume his responsibilities three days ago.
Dominic Raab, the first secretary of state, will step in for the PM and Sir Keir Starmer, the new Labour leader, will also attend the session.
"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," their spokesman said on Wednesday.
"The PM and Ms Symonds would like to thank the fantastic NHS maternity team."
Many Tory MPs have offered their congratulations, including Andrew Rosindell.
This study from 2019 found that fewer than one in three new fathers take paternity leave.
Fewer than one in three new fathers take paternity leave
The Independent'For a lot of men, taking time off for the birth of a child has become an unaffordable luxury'“So thrilled for Boris and Carrie. Wonderful to have a moment of unalloyed joy!” tweeted health secretary Matt Hancock.
“Wonderful news. Many congratulations to Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds,” wrote Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.
Boris is entitled to two weeks of paternity leave just like every father in the country.
He has previously suggested he intends to take paternity leave, but this is no longer clear given the coronavirus outbreak.
Many people have praised the 'wonderful news' as a bit of positivity in these dark times.
Hi father's name, Stanley, is also among the favourites.
Boris Johnson baby name odds revealed by bookmakers
The IndependentWinston is among the favourites, say bookmakers, along with Wilfred and GeorgeDuring an appearance on ITV’s This Morning, the politician gave a series of incomplete sentences and was reluctant to answer. When pushed further he replied: “I expect so, I expect so.”
Read more below.
'It's part of being a dad': Fathers react to Boris Johnson's hesitancy over baby nappy changing
The IndependentPrime minister was reluctant to say he would change his baby’s nappy during television interview before birthReports are claiming that the prime minister will delay taking his two weeks of paternity leave until 'firm' decisions have been made regarding the UK lockdown.
It is believed that the prime minister has seven children, however, he has not officially confirmed the exact number.
What is known is that the prime minister and his second wife, Marina Wheeler, who separated in 2018, have four children together: Lara Lettice, 27, Milo Arthur, 25, Cassia Peaches, 23, and Theodore Apollo, 21.
Read more here.
Now she has given birth and it is not clear whether or not Boris will be taking paternity leave to help her care for their newborn son.
She is the daughter of The Independent co-founder Matthew Symonds and lawyer Josephine Mcaffee, was born on 17 March 1988 and raised in southwest London.
Read more about Carrie and her background below.
Who is Carrie Symonds and what does she do?
The IndependentBoris Johnson and Carrie Symonds announced the birth of a ‘healthy baby boy at a London hospital’Preceding Boris in having children while in office is David Cameron, Tony Blair and Lord John Russell.
See the full list here.
Also included on the list is Winston, thought to be after Winston Churchill, Donald (Trump?) and Brexit, which would be rather strange.
Here's the full list:
- Wilfred at 7/2
- Winston at 8/1
- Stanley at 10/1
- Michael at 17/1
- Dominic at 33/1
- Matt at 50/1
- Rishi at 100/1
- Donald at 33/1
- Vladimir at 100/1
- Brexit at 500/1
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