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Palin's teenage daughter pregnant

01/09/2008

The Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin has confirmed that her unmarried 17-year-old daughter is pregnant.

Bristol Palin is said to be around five months pregnant and has announced she will keep the child and marry the father.

In a statement released by the campaign of Republican presidential candidate John McCain, Ms Palin said her family stood by her daughter's decision to keep her baby.

"We have been blessed with five wonderful children who we love with all our heart and mean everything to us," the statement said.

"Our beautiful daughter Bristol came to us with news that as parents we knew would make her grow up faster than we had ever planned. As Bristol faces the responsibilities of adulthood, she knows she has our unconditional love and support.

"Bristol and the young man she will marry are going to realise very quickly the difficulties of raising a child, which is why they will have the love and support of our entire family."

Mr McCain announced today that he already knew about the pregnancy and that it had no bearing on his decision to select Ms Palin as his running mate.