Theresa May prompted widespread confusion and mirth across the House of Commons after congratulating Jeremy Corbyn on the birth of a granddaughter that never actually happened.

The Labour leader had prefaced his first query during the Prime Minister’s Questions session by offering his best wishes to Labour MP Conor McGinn on the birth of his daughter on Friday.

The Prime Minister followed up by saying to Mr Corbyn: “First of all can I congratulate the right honourable gentleman on the birth, I understand of his granddaughter and… no?”

After extended howls of laughter from across the chamber, and a shake of the head from the Labour leader, she said: “I’m sorry, in that case I’m completely mislead.”

Ms May then publicly outed the person she suggested had passed her the dud information – former Tory Chief Whip Patrick McLoughline.

“In that case, Mr Speaker,can I just say that perhaps one should never trust a former chief whip,” she said.

Mr Corbyn has three sons but no grandchildren.