Labour MP Liz Kendall 'bursting with love and happiness' after welcoming son Henry via surrogate

Labour MP Liz Kendall has said she is "bursting with love and happiness" after welcoming a baby boy via surrogate.

The former shadow minister for social care, 50, announced in November she would be temporarily stepping back from the front benches to become a mum.

The Leicester West MP shared a picture of the new-born with her 95,000 Twitter followers on Saturday.

Describing her delight at her son's arrival, Ms Kendall wrote: "Hello Henry! We are bursting with love and happiness."

The picture was liked almost 15,000 times with senior colleagues including Sir Keir Starmer offering their best wishes.

The Labour leader posted: "Huge congratulations Liz, and welcome Henry!"

Deputy Leader Angela Rayner said: "Beautiful, sending all my love, hugs and big congratulations."

Meanwhile Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Jonathan Ashworth wrote: "The most wonderful beautiful fabulous news. I'm so happy for you all xx"

London Mayor Sadiq Khan posted: "Many, many congratulations Liz."

And Conservative MPs also joined in sending congratulations including Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi, who tweeted: "What a lovely photograph. Congrats Liz."

Ms Kendall previously revealed the struggle she and her partner faced to become parents.

"It has been a really difficult time getting here, so we feel unbelievably lucky and happier than we ever imagined," she said.

"We will be eternally grateful to our surrogate for making this possible."

Ms Kendall said she would having a break from work to "make the most of this precious time with the newest member of our family" - but her office will remain fully open throughout.

The MP revealed her happy news as Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas also announced the birth of their first child through surrogacy.

The actress, 39 and singer husband, 29, shared their news on Instagram, telling followers: "We are overjoyed to confirm that we have welcomed a baby via surrogate."