Gordon Brown was said to be "absolutely delighted" after his wife Sarah gave birth to a son today.

Both Mrs Brown and the child, weighing in at 8lb, were said to be doing well after the birth at 9am at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

It is the second son for the couple, who have been married for six years. Big brother John, two, has already visited the new baby.

Obstetrician Dr Rhona Hughes said: "It was a very straight forward delivery with no complications.

"Both mother and son are doing well, and dad is absolutely delighted.

"John has just been in to see his new little brother for the first time - and he seems to have had some ideas for his name.

"We expect the family to leave the hospital towards the end of the week. Gordon and Sarah have the very best wishes of all the staff here, and we are absolutely delighted for them."

Mr Brown’s brother said the family were thrilled to hear of the new arrival. John Brown, 57, from Glasgow, said: "The family are all absolutely delighted with the news.

"The key thing was that the baby arrived safely, given what they have been through over the years. And it’s good that they now have a little brother for John, who will be three in October."

The Browns’ first child, Jennifer Jane, died aged 10 days after being born prematurely in 2002.

Following the birth of John, named after the politician’s paternal grandfather, the Chancellor pronounced himself part of the "happiest family in Britain". He said: "There are sleepless nights but there is a spring in my step every morning."

Tony Blair was among the first to send his best wishes to the couple this morning. When told the news at a press conference at the G8 summit in St Petersburg, Russia, Mr Blair said: "My reaction to Gordon’s good news is to wish him congratulations and say how delighted I am for him and Sarah and John and, of course, the new baby."

Sir Menzies Campbell, the Liberal Democrat leader, also offered his warmest congratulations to the couple. "This is great news for Sarah and Gordon," he said.

David Cameron, the Conservative leader, whose wife Samantha gave birth to a son, Arthur, earlier this year, and Jack McConnell and his wife Bridget, also sent their best wishes.

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