BORIS Johnson was snapped beaming in No10 this afternoon – after his fiancee Carrie Symonds gave birth to a baby boy today.
Both mum, 32, and baby are “doing very well” after the birth in a London hospital this morning, and the PM is now back at work.
It comes just 16 days after Boris, 55, fought for his life in intensive care with coronavirus – and after Carrie’s own fight with the deadly bug.
It is understood the PM was there for the birth – which came several weeks early.
But he is now back in No10 working, and was due to have a call with Labour boss Sir Keir Starmer this afternoon.
He will speak with Her Majesty the Queen tonight, by phone.
A spokesperson said: “The PM was in the hospital this morning and he is back in No10 this afternoon.
“The Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, deputised for the PM this morning, and I’m sure the PM will catch up what happened at PMQS this afternoon.”
No 10 previously said the baby was due in early summer, with further reports suggesting the end of May or beginning of June, meaning the couple conceived shortly after moving into Downing Street last year.
What we know so far:
- Boris was present at the birth of his sixth child, and third son
- Baby comes after Boris’ life-and-death coronavirus battle and after Carrie fought off bug
- Boris did not take part in PMQs today and Dominic Raab took his place
- Labour’s Sir Keir Starmer and ex-PM David Cameron led congratulations
- Bookies suggest couple could call son Alexander after one of PM’s middle names
- The Queen sent a private message of good wishes to the couple to congratulate them on the birth of their son, Buckingham Palace said
While the new arrival is Ms Symond’s first child, it is believed to be Mr Johnson’s sixth – and is his third son.
He has four children with ex-wife Marina Wheeler – two sons Milo, 24, and Theodore, 20, and two daughters Lara, 26, and Cassia, 22.
Boris also has another daughter, Stephanie, born in 2009, after an affair with art consultant Helen Macintyre.
Downing Street would not confirm more details of the baby’s birth – such as the hospital, the weight, or a name.
They also couldn’t say whether the baby came earlier than planned, or was born by cesarean.
They said the PM followed hospital rules at all times, which could have meant he was unable to spend much time at the hospital beyond the birth.
‘HEALTHY BABY BOY’
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.”
The Prime Minister returned to work on Monday after two weeks at Chequers recovering from covid-19.
During his life-and-death battle he spent three days in intensive care and a week in St Thomas’ Hospital, London, after struggling to shake off the bug.
It is not yet known if the baby was born at St Thomas’ – the closest hospital to No 10 – or on another London maternity ward.
Carrie, who was also self-isolating for a week with the virus, was not allowed to visit Boris in hospital, but is said to have shared scans of the baby with him at the time to lift his spirits.
The couple, who have been dating since he split from his wife Marina back in 2018, were engaged earlier this year and announced they were expecting back in February.
They made history as the first unmarried couple to officially live together in Downing Street when they moved into the flat above Number 11, following Boris’ election as Conservative Party leader.
It was confirmed today that Boris will take his paternity leave later in the year, so he can still keep a firm grip on the country’s coronavirus crisis.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Boris’ dad Stanley Johnson said this morning he was “absolutely delighted” and “thrilled” with the news of another grandson.
And politicians from across the spectrum have sent their best wishes to the happy couple.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the new arrival was “fantastic news in challenging times”.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak tweeted: “Great to hear Downing Street is getting a new resident.
“Congratulations to @BorisJohnson and @carriesymonds on the birth of their son.”
Health Secretary Matt Hancock tweeted: “So thrilled for Boris and Carrie. Wonderful to have a moment of unalloyed joy!”
Former Prime Minister David Cameron even offered the PM a cot and climbing frame to help him on his way.
He tweeted: “Heartfelt congratulations @BorisJohnson and @carriesymonds on your wonderful news today.
“Sam and I are thrilled for you both! Sorry we didn’t leave the cot – but the climbing frame should still be in the garden!”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan sent his “warmest congratulations” to the couple, while Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer wrote: “Wonderful news. Many congratulations to Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds.”
Meanwhile, a Labour MP was forced to delete a tweet which said the PM had found “yet another excuse” to miss PMQs.
Ruth Cadbury Tweeted: “It appears Boris Johnson has just found yet another excuse to miss #PMQs.”
The MP, who represents Brentford and Isleworth, quickly deleted the post after several people said it was inappropriate.
Other trolls bizarrely accused Boris of deliberately having Carrie induced so he dodge PMQs.
WHIRLWIND BIRTH
The newborn baby is the latest to be born to a serving prime minister.
Downing Street has been home to a number of babies, with Tony Blair and David Cameron both adding to their broods while in Number 10.
But that is a relatively recent trend, with a gap of more than a century before Cherie Blair gave birth to Downing Street tot Leo Blair in 1997.
And today’s whirlwind birth comes after a busy few months for the PM.
After December’s election and passing Brexit on January 31, he quickly found himself dealing with the coronavirus pandemic in early March.
By April 5, he had contracted the deadly bug himself and ended up in hospital – spending three days in intensive care.
He finally returned to work on Monday – but now faces more sleepless nights as he welcomes the new bundle of joy.
