Carrie Symonds gives birth to a 'healthy baby boy': Boris Johnson and fiancée announce arrival of PM's newborn son and thank 'fantastic NHS maternity team' at London hospital

• Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds are 'thrilled' to announce birth this morning
• News is something of a surprise after she was expected to give birth this summer
• It is unclear if PM will take paternity leave but he is not expected to take PMQs
• Prime Minister is said to have been by his fiancée's side throughout the birth

Prime Minister Boris Johnson's fiancée Carrie Symonds gave birth to a 'healthy' baby boy at an NHS hospital in London today.

Mr Johnson is said to have been by his 32-year-old fiancee's side throughout the labour before their son entered the world in the early hours of this morning.

The happy news comes as something of a surprise, with Miss Symonds having been expected to give birth in the summer, although a due date was never confirmed by the couple.

No 10 have not named yet named the hospital they went to - but it was previously reported that Carrie had wanted a home birth, which have been largely suspended by the NHS because of coronavirus.   

A spokesman for the couple said today they were 'thrilled' to announce the birth which took place early this morning, adding: 'Both mother and baby are doing very well.' 

Mr Johnson said in early March that he is likely to take his two-week paternity leave when their child is born - but it is not known if he will take it now at a time of national emergency.

There also concerns that key decisions over the coronavirus lockdown and how to ease Britain out of it will be delayed because of the Prime Minister's new baby.   

It is also just weeks after the PM was discharged from intensive care where he had been battling coronavirus. Miss Symonds also suffered symptoms of the disease. 

It is unclear whether Mr Johnson will take paternity leave, although he is not expected to take Prime Minister's Questions in Parliament this afternoon.

Mr Johnson is said to have been by her side throughout the birth. She sent him scans of the baby while he was ill with coronavirus earlier this month to raise his spirits. 

The spokesman 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.'

Miss Symonds has been back living with Mr Johnson at Number 11 Downing Street as the Prime Minister leads the Government's response to the coronavirus pandemic.

She had previously been self-isolating in Camberwell, South London, with the couple's dog Dilyn, after suffering from symptoms of coronavirus.

The 32-year-old former government adviser then joined Mr Johnson at the PM's country home of Chequers in Buckinghamshire while he recovered from the virus

How many children does Boris Johnson have? 

Boris Johnson and Marina Wheeler, who separated in 2018, have four children together: Lara Lettice, 26, Milo Arthur, 24, Cassia Peaches, 22, and Theodore Apollo, 20.

He also has a fifth child, Stephanie Macintyre, with art consultant Helen Macintyre. Ms Macintyre's daughter is allegedly one of two children he fathered as a result of an affair.

The Appeal Court ruled in 2013 that the public had a right to know that he had fathered a daughter during an adulterous liaison while Mayor of London in 2009 - but also mentioned the possibility of a second baby.

It is not known if the Prime Minister has any more children - but his baby boy with Carrie Symonds is officially his sixth.

Mr Johnson and his Miss Symonds arrive at 10 Downing Street on December 13 last year

Mr Johnson returned to work on Monday after being photographed back at Downing Street on Sunday evening.

If it was a full-term pregnancy, conception would have taken place last July, around the time Mr Johnson took over from Theresa May as prime minister. 

After Mr Johnson was discharged from St Thomas' Hospital in London following a period in intensive care, they both thanked NHS staff for their 'magnificent' work.

Mr Johnson, 55, and Ms Symonds announced in March that they were expecting a baby in 'early summer', and that they had become engaged at the end of last year. 

The news was welcomed by politicians today, with Health Secretary Matt Hancock tweeting: 'So thrilled for Boris and Carrie. Wonderful to have a moment of unalloyed joy!'

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: 'Great to hear Downing Street is getting a new resident. Congratulations to Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds on the birth of their son.'

Former chancellor Sajid Javid tweeted: 'Congratulations Carrie Symonds and Boris Johnson. Such wonderful uplifting news!'

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: 'Wonderful news. Many congratulations to Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds.'

Mr Johnson and Miss Symonds ahead of the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester on September 28 last year

Former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith tweeted: 'Congratulations Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds, such wonderful news! Baby boy!'

And Sir Ed Davey, the acting leader of the Liberal Democrats, tweeted: 'Many congratulations to the PM and Carrie Symonds on the birth of their son!'  

The Prime Minister's father, Stanley Johnson, said he was 'absolutely delighted' and 'thrilled' by the birth of his grandson.