British PM seeks solace in church after baby’s birth

Sunday, May 21, 2000 | 10:54 a.m.

Cherie Blair, 45, gave birth to the couple's fourth child in the early hours of Saturday morning, afterward returning to the prime minister's Downing Street home.

"No, it definitely wasn't a quiet night," Blair told parishioners after the service, which he attended with his elder children Euan, 16, Nicholas, 15, and Kathryn, 12.

Blair posed for pictures and told congregation members baby Leo was "absolutely fine," and that Cherie Blair was "great."

"I'm feeling a little tired," Blair added.

Cherie Blair delivered their 6-pounds, 12-ounce son at 12:25 am Saturday as congratulations poured in from around the world.

Danish Prime Minister Poal Nyrup Rasmussen was the latest dignitary to send flowers to Downing Street. Earlier, Queen Elizabeth II offered her congratulations as did Hillary Clinton, who telephoned Mrs. Blair in the afternoon.

Blair, 46, is the first serving British prime minister to father a child since Lord John Russell's fourth son, George Gilber William Russell, was born in 1848.

Despite heavy public hints from his wife, Blair has said he will not be taking parental leave. But he does plan to initially scale back his official workload.

The prime minister, who has described his new son as "a gorgeous little boy", said it was the first time he had been present throughout the birth of any of his children.