Carrie and Boris Johnson welcome birth of ‘healthy baby girl’

Mr and Mrs Johnson announced the birth of a “healthy baby girl” at a London hospital earlier on Thursday.

“Both mother and daughter are doing very well. The couple would like to thank the brilliant NHS maternity team for all their care and support,” a spokeswoman for the couple said.

Boris Johnson was present with Carrie throughout the birth, the PA news agency understands.

Downing Street said Boris Johnson would spend some time with his family but stopped short of saying he would take a period of paternity leave.

“You can expect the Prime Minister to take some time with his family,” the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said.

“As ever he has to balance that with his responsibilities as Prime Minister in leading the country, which he will continue to do.”

The spokesman added: “I think there’s a recognition the Prime Minister has a unique role and this is a particularly challenging time for the country and the Prime Minister will continue to lead, as the public would expect, while making time for his family.”

Put to him that it did not sound like the Prime Minister was taking paternity leave, the spokesman said: “I’m not sure what the strict definitions of that are.”