Baby joy for Gordon Brown
Chancellor Gordon Brown's wife Sarah gave birth to a son today.
The boy, who has not yet been named, arrived at Edinburgh's New Royal Infirmary weighing 8lb 1oz.
Mr and Mrs Brown wept tears of joy following the birth, the woman who delivered their child said.
Dr Rhona Hughes, consultant obstetrician at the New Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh, told reporters: "I'm delighted to be able to tell you Sarah Brown gave birth to a healthy baby boy at 9.28am. Mother and baby are both doing very well.
"Sarah and Gordon are absolutely delighted. It was a very emotional moment and they both wept tears of joy."
The couple's joy came just under two years after the death of their first child, Jennifer, at only 10 days old.
A spokesman for the Chancellor said: "Sarah and Gordon have not yet decided on a name. Their families are delighted. They would like to thank all the staff at the hospital and at Forth Park Hospital in Kirkcaldy for all the care they have provided, and they would like to thank everybody for the kindness they have shown."
Tony Blair said: "This is wonderful news. Cherie and I are absolutely thrilled."
Regeneration minister Yvette Cooper, wife of the Chancellor's closest aide Ed Balls, said: "It's wonderful Everybody's really happy for them. Everybody will be thinking of them."
Scotland's First Minister, Jack McConnell, said he and wife Bridget were "delighted" for the Browns. "We wish them all the joy and happiness a family can bring," he added.
Shadow chancellor Michael Howard said: "I am delighted by the news and wish Gordon, Sarah and the baby every joy."
Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy said: "I'm delighted for Gordon and Sarah. I wish them every happiness with their new son."
Their first child Jennifer was born seven weeks prematurely on 28 December, 2001, weighing just 2lb 4oz, at Forth Park Hospital. She was transferred to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where she died in her parents' arms on 7 January, 2002.
The new child comes after Mr Brown, 52, had to leave last month's Labour conference because his mother, Elizabeth, was ill. His father, John, a former Church of Scotland minister, died in 1998. The Chancellor married Sarah, 39, in 2000.
Ladbrokes offered 66-1 on the baby growing up to be Chancellor, and 100-1 Labour prime minister.
