Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds news - live: PM to take paternity leave by June after fiancée gives birth to son
Couple welcome 'healthy baby boy'
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Your support makes all the difference.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.
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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.
A spokesperson for the couple has 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," their spokesman said on Wednesday.
"The PM and Ms Symonds would like to thank the fantastic NHS maternity team."
It's not clear when the couple will announce the name of their newborn son.
According to Coral, Alexander is currently leading the way in terms of odds at 3-1.
'Congratulations Boris' is trending on Twitter as the British public offer their well wishes to the couple.
Many Tory MPs have offered their congratulations, including Andrew Rosindell.
People are teasing the Boris will go to great lengths to 'get out of PMQs'
According to Coral, the names in the running for Boris and Carrie's baby are James (4-1), George (5-1), and Stanley (12-1), which would be in honour of Boris's father, Stanley Johnson.
Alexander is currently the frontrunner at 3-1.
Many are questioning whether or not Boris will take paternity leave and use it to 'avoid' responsibilities during the pandemic.
This study from 2019 found that fewer than one in three new fathers take paternity leave.
More congratulatory messages are pouring in for the couple on social media, including many from fellow politicians.
“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.
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