Boris Johnson plans to take paternity leave when partner Carrie Symonds gives birth

Dominic Raab could stand in to take over reins of power while prime minister is away

Boris Johnson has revealed he plans to take paternity leave when his partner Carrie Symonds gives birth to their first child together.

The prime minister will be following in the footsteps of David Cameron, who took his statutory two weeks’ leave after the birth of daughter Florence in 2010.

It is expected that foreign secretary Dominic Raab - as first secretary of state - would stand in to take up the PM’s responsibilities during Mr Johnson’s absence, though this was not immediately confirmed.

Ms Symonds announced on Saturday that she and the PM are engaged and are expecting a baby “early summer”. When the couple wed, Mr Johnson will be the first prime minister to get married in office for 250 years.

Under statutory paternity pay arrangements, new fathers are entitled to two weeks’ leave after the birth of their child, at either £148.68 a week or 90% of their average weekly earnings, whichever is lower.

Asked during a press conference at 10 Downing Street whether he planned to use his entitlement, Mr Johnson said: “Almost certainly, yes.”