Boris Johnson thanks NHS for ‘happier’ hospital visit after birth of first son with Carrie Symonds

The Prime Minister’s fiancee Carrie Symonds gave birth to a boy on Wednesday morning, and both mother and baby are said to be “doing very well”.

The much-celebrated arrival came just weeks after the PM was discharged from hospital where he spent a week battling his own serious bout of coronavirus.

Addressing his first Downing Street press briefing since he was struck down with Covid-19, Mr Johnson paid tribute to the health service.

Opening the briefing on Thursday, he said: “I want to thank everybody who has been doing such a good job in my absence and I want to thank the NHS for so much – including getting me back here and – I might add – a very much happier hospital visit yesterday.”

Speaking about his own experience of coronavirus, Mr Johnson said: “I was very, very lucky.

“I had wonderful carers, wonderful treatment, and, let’s be frank, tragically, thousands of people have been less fortunate than I was.

“And, that’s why the objective of this Government is to save lives across the country.”

Mr Johnson, 55, and Ms Symonds, 32, announced in February that they were expecting a baby in “early summer”, and that they had become engaged at the end of last year.

Mr Johnson was present throughout the birth. The baby’s name is not yet known.

The PM’s father, Stanley Johnson, said he was “absolutely delighted” and “thrilled” by the birth of his grandson.

The Queen has sent a private message of good wishes to congratulate the couple on the birth of their son, Buckingham Palace said.

Downing Street said the Prime Minister, who is has returned to the helm of the Covid-19 crisis, would take a “short period” of paternity leave later in the year.

The new family are planning to live in their Downing Street flat along with their dog Dilyn, the Number 10 spokesman confirmed.

Downing Street declined to say whether the baby was born prematurely and the spokesman was unable to provide details of the weight, timing, nature or location of the birth.

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