Boris welcomes son into world - then gets straight back to work

Boris Johnson will delay taking paternity leave till after the coronavirus crisis after becoming a father again at the age of 55.

Boris Johnson arrives back at Downing Street from hospital after the birth of his son. Picture: Picture: Andrew Parsons via AP

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will delay taking paternity leave until later this year, to deal with the coronavirus pandemic after becoming a father again on Wednesday at the age of 55.

Downing Street announced that the Prime Minister’s fiancee, Carrie Symonds, 32, had given birth to a son just three days after Mr Johnson returned to work from his recuperation from COVID-19. It is understood Mr Johnson was present throughout the delivery before returning to work in Downing Street.

A spokesman said mother and baby were doing well, but declined to provide further details or say whether Ms Symonds and the baby were still in hospital.

He said that Mr Johnson would not take his two-week statutory pater­nity leave until later in the year, as ministers continue to grapple with the virus response.

The couple plan to stay in the flat above No 11 Downing Street, where they have lived since Mr Johnson became Prime Minister nine months ago.

The news was welcomed by political allies and opponents. Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak said it was “great to hear Downing Street is getting a new resident”, while Labour leader Keir Starmer described it as “wonderf­ul news”.

The Queen sent her good wishes while David Cameron, the last prime minister to become a father in Downing Street, to daughter Florence in 2010, said: “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!”

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby tweeted: “Wishing them every blessing and happiness.”

Ms Symonds announced her pregnancy in an Instagram post in February, saying the baby was due in “early summer”, which suggests the birth may have been earlier than expected. Downing Street refus­ed to say if that was the case.

The birth comes after the couple­ both fell ill with corona­virus. Mr­ Johnson spent a week in hospital, including three days in intensive care, while Ms Symonds was briefly bedridden, but made a full recovery.

After time in self-isolation, they reunited last week at Cheq­uers, the PM’s country home, where Mr Johnson was recuperating.

Mr Johnson has four adult children with his second wife, Marin­a Wheeler; they divorced this year. He also has a fifth child after an affair with Helen Macintyre, an art consultant.

Ms Symonds previously worked as director of communications for the Conservative Party. The couple became engaged while holidaying on the Caribbean island­ of Mustique. If they marry while he is in office, he will be the first prime minister to do so in about 200 years. Mr Johnson is the third British PM in recent years to have had a child while in office, after Mr Cameron and Tony Blair, whose son Leo was born in 2000.

The Times