Hague baby 'at some stage'

Speculation continues over a new arrival

Conservative leader William Hague has said he and his wife Ffion would like to start a family but refused to be drawn on exactly when.

As Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife Cherie expect their fourth child, 39-year-old Mr Hague said - after some hesitation - that he too would like to become a father.

The leader of the opposition married Cardiff-born former civil servant Ffion in December 1997.

Hague: in our own good time

A Welsh-speaker, Ffion had worked for Mr Hague's predecessor at the Welsh Office, John Redwood.

It was when he was replaced as Welsh Secretary by Mr Hague, that the relationship blossomed during Welsh lessons.

Since their marriage, there has been continual speculation over when the couple would have a baby.

Mr Hague's admission came while speaking on a BBC radio phone-in, when he was asked if a family was something he wanted.

"Yes it is. God willing, that's what we will do at some stage," he said.

"However, I am never going to be dictated to by any political timetable. Even in the lives of politicians there is a limit to what we should do!"

The radio show host - who had just had his second baby - urged Mr Hague that it really was "the best thing that ever happened".

While refusing to reveal more of the couple's plans, Mr Hague added: "When Ffion and I want to have a family, we will have a family and we will do that in our own good time."