Mar 1, 2020 - World

Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds announce pregnancy and engagement

Rebecca Falconer

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his partner Carrie Symonds enter Downing Street as the Conservatives celebrate a sweeping election victory on December 13, 2019 in London — British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds at their Downing Street residence in London. Photo: Giannis Alexopoulos/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Carrie Symonds announced on Instagram Saturday that she and U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson are engaged and expecting a baby.

Details: "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," she said. "Feel incredibly blessed." But while many in Johnson's Conservative Party congratulated the couple on the news, lawmakers from the opposition Labour Party and some journalists questioned the timing of the announcement, with one member of parliament calling it "very convenient."

Context: Sir Philip Rutnam, the most senior civil servant in the Home Office, had earlier quit and said in his resignation letter he would "be issuing a claim against the Home Office for constructive dismissal" after being subjected to a "vicious and orchestrated briefing campaign."

He accused Home Secretary Priti Patel of "shouting and swearing, belittling people, and making unreasonable and repeated demands." Patel has yet to address the allegations, but she has "previously denied she mistreated staff," the BBC notes.

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Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds announce pregnancy and engagement

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