Prime minister to take two weeks off when partner Carrie Symonds gives birth

This article is more than 6 months old

This article is more than 6 months old

Boris Johnson is to take paternity leave after the birth of his child with his partner, Carrie Symonds, in the summer.

When asked about the new arrival during a press conference on coronavirus on Tuesday, the prime minister said he was likely to take his entitlement to two weeks off.

Dominic Raab, the first secretary of state and foreign secretary, would be the next in line to be in charge during Johnson’s absence.

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Johnson announced at the weekend that he was expecting a child with Symonds and that the couple were engaged.

Their spokesperson said: “The prime minister and Miss Symonds are very pleased to announce their engagement and that they are expecting a baby in the early summer.”

Facebook Twitter Pinterest A waxwork of Boris Johnson wearing a baby carrier at Madame Tussauds in west London. Photograph: Dominic Lipinski/PA

Johnson, 55, will become the first prime minister in 250 years to get married in office. The last child born to an incumbent PM was Florence Rose Endellion, the daughter of David and Samantha Cameron, who was born in August 2010.

Cameron and Tony Blair took paternity leave while they were in office.

Johnson and Symonds have been living together in Downing Street since he became prime minister in July 2019. He is not yet divorced from his second wife, Marina Wheeler, but they came to a financial settlement last month.

Johnson and Wheeler have four adult children together: Lara Lettice, Milo Arthur, Cassia Peaches and Theodore Apollo.

The prime minister also has a younger daughter with Helen Macintyre, an art consultant, and has repeatedly refused to answer questions about whether he has any more children.