Third son for Lib Dem leader

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg's third child has been born, the party said today.

Mr Clegg's Spanish wife Miriam gave birth to the boy, who they have named Miguel, at Kingston Hospital in south west London yesterday morning.

The couple have two other sons, aged seven and four. Mother and child were said to be doing well.

Mr Clegg's deputy, economics spokesman Vince Cable, will stand in for him this week as he takes the first of two weeks' paternity leave.

Mr Cable, whose performance in dealing with the recession has been widely praised, will take on Gordon Brown head to head at Prime Minister's Questions.

Preparations for the party's spring conference in Harrogate next month may mean Mr Clegg - who has campaigned for more time off for new fathers - delays some of his leave.