British prime minister, wife announce birth of baby girl

UK prime minister announces birth of baby girl

LONDON — British Prime Minister David Cameron’s wife gave birth to a baby girl Tuesday, while the couple were away from London on their summer vacation.

Cameron’s office said the baby was born at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro, a town in southwestern England. The couple had been spending a break in Cornwall with their son and daughter.

Samantha Cameron, 39, had been expected to give birth in September, and arrangements were in place for Cameron to take paternity leave next month.

“The prime minister and Mrs. Cameron are delighted to announce the birth of their fourth child, a baby girl. Both the baby — who was born weighing 6 lbs 1 oz — and Mrs. Cameron are doing very well,” Cameron’s Downing Street office said in a statement.

“The prime minister and Mrs. Cameron would like to thank the doctors and nurses at the hospital for their help and kindness.”

The family have two other children, Elwen and Nancy. Their severely disabled son Ivan died last year aged 6.

Cameron has often used scenes of his domestic life in his political campaigning, including videos in which his children are heard — but not seen — interrupting their father as he addresses the camera.

It was not immediately known whether Cameron would take paternity leave. Britain’s Parliament is due to reconvene on Sept. 6 following a summer recess.

One of Cameron’s recent predecessors, Tony Blair, also had a newborn while in office. Blair’s wife Cherie gave birth to son Leo in 2000.