Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale reveals she's dating SNP MSP Jenny Gilruth

The pair met on a cross-party politics trip to the US last summer and began a relationship after Ms Dugdale split with her partner of nine years

Ms Gilruth, left, and Ms Dugdale thanked their friends, family and colleagues for their love and support (Scottish Labour)

Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale is dating an SNP politician, she has revealed.

The 35-year-old is in a relationship with Mid Fife and Glenrothes MSP Jenny Gilruth, the couple confirmed on Saturday.

Ms Dugdale, MSP for Lothian, split from her fiancée Louise Riddell in December after a nine-year relationship. They had been engaged for five months.

The Scottish Labour leader has been dating Ms Gilruth, 32, for about four months after the two became friends on a cross-party politics trip to the USA last summer.

In a joint statement, the pair said: “We don’t consider this to be ‘news’ – but we appreciate others might and we want to go about our daily lives normally.

“We would like to thank our friends, family and colleagues for their kindness over the past few months and for their love and support.

“We’d politely ask that our privacy is respected because while we are both politicians, we are also human beings – in a new relationship, which we cherish.”

SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon reacted to the news on social media, tweeting: “So love really does conquer all! Wishing every happiness to @JennyGilruth & @kezdugdale”.

Ms Gilruth, a former teacher, was elected to Holyrood in May last year. She is a Parliamentary liaison officer to Deputy First Minister John Swinney.

Ms Dugdale rarely discusses her private life but revealed in April last year that she was in a relationship with a woman.