Boris Johnson and wife Carrie announce birth of 'healthy baby girl'

Prime minister Boris Johnson and wife Carrie have announced “the birth of a healthy baby girl at a London hospital earlier today”.

In a statement, a spokeswoman for the couple said: “The prime minister and Mrs Johnson are delighted to announce the birth of a healthy baby girl at a London hospital earlier today.

“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.”

The prime minister was present with his wife throughout the birth, the PA news agency understands.

Following the birth, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted: “Congratulations to Carrie and Boris Johnson on the birth of their daughter.

“Wishing your family health and happiness.”

Watch: Boris Johnson announces move to COVID Plan B

The baby girl – whose name is yet to be revealed – is the couple's second child together.

Carrie gave birth to their first child, son Wilfred Lawrie Nicholas Johnson, in April 2020, just weeks after the prime minister left intensive care following treatment for coronavirus.

The couple announced they were expecting their second child together at the end of July, as Carrie, 33, spoke of having a miscarriage earlier in the year.

The birth of a sister for Wilfred comes the day after Johnson was rocked by the scandal of an alleged lockdown-busting Christmas party at Downing Street last December.

Hours after the PM apologised for leaked footage that showed Downing Street aides joking about restrictions, Johnson suddenly announced a move to Plan B COVID measures in England.

Also on Thursday morning, the Conservatives were fined £17,800 over the controversial donation to help cover the lavish refurbishments to the couple’s Downing Street flat.

The new arrival means Johnson has at least seven children, including four with his barrister ex-wife Marina Wheeler – although he has frequently changed the subject when asked exactly how many he has.

Wilfred Lawrie Nicholas Johnson was born in April last year and was named in partly in tribute to two doctors, Nick Hart and Nick Price, who helped saved the prime minister’s life when he was admitted to hospital with COVID earlier that month.

Johnson married Carrie during a secretly-planned wedding at Westminster Cathedral in May.

It emerged during a court hearing in 2013 that he had fathered a daughter during an affair when he was London mayor in 2009.

Watch: PM apologises 'unreservedly' over Downing Street party video