Prime minister Boris Johnson and his wife Carrie have announced the birth of “a healthy baby girl” at a London hospital early on Thursday.
In a statement, a spokesperson 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 baby is the couple’s second child together, following the birth of Wilfred – now 19 months old – in April 2020.
Downing Street said that Mr Johnson will “take some time to be with his family” over the coming days and weeks, but will balance this with his responsibilities as prime minster, so will not be staying away from work entirely as would normally be expected during paternity leave.
The news of the couples second child together was followed by a ruling that Conservative party broke electoral laws over the controversial funding of Boris Johnson’s flat refurbishment which they share.
“Our investigation into the Conservative Party found that the laws around the reporting and recording of donations were not followed,” said Louise Edwards, director of regulation – announcing a £17,800 fine.
An investigation was launched over whether the law was broken through a failure to properly declare that a gift or loan had been received for the works.
In its ruling, the Commission makes clear that the Conservatives were negligent in failing to “fully report a donation of £67,801.72 from Huntswood Associates Limited in October 2020”.
Its report says the gift included £52,801.72 connected to the costs of refurbishment to 11 Downing Street – but it was “not reported as required” in the party’s quarter 4 2020 donation report.
The reference that was made in financial records to the payment of £52,801.72 made by the party for the refurbishment was “not accurate”.