Boris and Carrie baby and engagement news 'very convenient' says Labour MP

A Labour peer has questioned the timing of the announcement that Carrie Symonds is expecting a baby with Boris Johnson .  The pair are set to marry after getting engaged in secret at the end of last year, Miss Symonds announced today.  The Prime Minister's personal news follows the sensational resignation of Sir Philip Rutnam, the most senior civil servant at the Home Office, amid an alleged bullying row with Home Secretary Priti Patel.   Lord Foulkes of Cumnock, a former MP of 26 years, said on Twitter : "Wonder why they announced it today?"  Labour MP Charlotte Nichols echoed the sentiment.  She tweeted: "Congratulations to the happy couple notwithstanding, it's truly remarkable that the announcement JUST HAPPENED to be on the day of the unprecedented resignation of top Home Office official Sir Philip Rutnam who will be taking a case of constructive dismissal against the Govt." Read More Related Articles Carrie Symonds' touching Instagram post announcing engagement to Boris Johnson Read More Related Articles Boris Johnson to marry pregnant partner Carrie Symonds with baby due early summer  Florence Eshalomi, the Labour MP for Vauxhall, added it was "very convenient" for the Prime Minister and Ms Symonds to make their announcement on Saturday.  The tweet appears to hint at the revelation coming the same day as Sir Philip Rutnam's resignation from the Home Office, a move that has dominated headlines since this morning and is expected to be the topic of discussion in the Sunday papers.  "Very convenient for this news to be announced today," said the Vauxhall MP, who followed her comments with a series of puzzled and baby-related emojis. Read More Related Articles Boris Johnson urged to go on coronavirus 'war footing' as illness claims first Brit  Miss Symonds and Mr Johnson became the first unmarried couple to occupy Downing Street when they moved into No. 10 last year.  He will now become the first Prime Minister to marry in office for 250 years.  Their baby will be at least the sixth child with three different women for Mr Johnson, who is going through a divorce with his second wife.   Miss Symonds' Instagram post announcing the news said: "I wouldn't normally post this kind of thing on here but i wanted my friends to find out from me... Read More Boris Johnson to divorce  "Many of you already know but for my friends that still don't, we got engaged at the end of last year... and we've got a baby hatching early summer.  "Feel incredibly blessed."  She uploaded a picture of Mr Johnson giving her a kiss on the cheek alongside her post.  A spokesperson for the couple 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."