Chatham MP Tracey Crouch has given birth to a baby boy at Pembury Hospital in Tunbridge Wells.

She tweeted at 10am today, to say: “Steve and I are delighted to announce the safe arrival of our son Freddie. Our heartfelt thanks to Pembury midwife team who were incredible.”

She is the first Tory minister to take maternity leave and, speaking to the Medway Messenger in January, the 40-year-old said she did not see it as a big deal.

“Other MPs have been on maternity leave and every year, tens of thousands of professional women give birth.

"I will cope with motherhood as every woman does.”

She added: “I don’t think it should be a barrier to progression in parliament, either.”

She left parliament in January and will be on leave until July, but is going to continue carrying out constituency work.

Her partner, local radio DJ Steve Ladner, will be taking three months' paternity leave.