Cherie Blair gives birth to a boy

Cherie Blair, the wife of the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, has given birth to a baby boy. Mother and baby, who is called Leo after Tony Blair's father, left the hospital shortly after the birth and are now resting back at home in Downing Street. The new baby is the first to be born to a serving British Prime Minister for 150 years.

Mr Blair had gone to London's Chelsea and Westminster Hospital from Downing Street shortly before three o'clock this morning. The announcement of the birth came soon afterwards. A Downing Street spokesman said Mr and Mrs Blair were delighted and had returned home to the flat where they live in Downing Street.

Today there has been a stream of visitors and flowers arriving at 10 Downing Street. Among others, there have been bouquets and congratulations from the Tory leader, William Hague, and his wife and from Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip. A Downing Street spokesman said the Blairs were delighted and that Cherie Blair was tired but very happy.

She and the prime minister and their other three children will be spending the weekend in the Blair's Downing Street flat. The Blairs' other children 16-year-old Euan, Nicky, aged 14, and 12-year-old Kathryn have always been kept out of the media spotlight. That is also likely to be the case with the Blair's latest arrival.

Leo Blair, who has yet to make his first public appearance, was delivered at London's Chelsea and Westminster hospital at12.25 am. He weighed six pounds twelve ounces. The birth was a natural one and apparently straightforward. Cherie Blair is forty-five and it had been anticipated that the birth would be by Caesarean section.