The Conservative MP Justine Greening has announced she is in a same-sex relationship on the same day as annual LGBT celebrations are taking place across the country.

The International Development Secretary spoke about her sexuality on Twitter as the 43rd annual Pride 2016 march kicked off.

In her message, Ms Greening joked that while she had campaigned for staying in the EU ahead of the referendum, “sometimes you’re better off out!”

The Chancellor George Osborne responded by declaring her tweet the best news he had heard in 48 hours.

The Prime Minister also extended his congratulations to Ms Greening but wisely decided against making a joke about Brexit.

Events are being held in cities across the UK today to mark the LGBTQI community. Thousands have taken to the streets in London for the capital's annual Pride parade, which ends at Whitehall.

A minute’s silence will be held to honour the 49 victims of the Orlando LGBT nightclub shooting. Campaigner Peter Tatchell, who helped to organise the first pride, called for people to unite against hate in the wake of the devasting attack.

In pictures: Pride in London 2016 Show all 10 1 /10 In pictures: Pride in London 2016 In pictures: Pride in London 2016 Pride in London Participants on motor cycles during the Pride in London parade, as it makes its way through the streets of central, London. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Pride in London 2016 Pride in London Daphne, a miniture schnouzer, wears a rainbow tie at a march as the LGBT community celebrates Pride in London on June 25, 2016 Getty Images In pictures: Pride in London 2016 Pride in London Jennifer Saunders (right) and Joanna Lumley (left) pose in character along with performers in front of the Absolutely Fabulous/Stolli (vodka) Pride in London float PA In pictures: Pride in London 2016 Pride in London 'Pet Play' enthusiasts dress and behave as dogs during a march as the LGBT community celebrates Pride in London on June 25, 2016 Getty Images In pictures: Pride in London 2016 Pride in London A policeman kisses his fiance after proposing to him during the Pride in London parade, as it makes its way through the streets of central London. PA In pictures: Pride in London 2016 Pride in London Participants show their support for victims of the Orlando shooting during the annual Pride Parade in London on June 25, 2016. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Pride in London 2016 Pride in London United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom Matthew Barzun (left) and Major of London Sadiq Khan attending the Pride in London parade PA In pictures: Pride in London 2016 Pride in London Participants take part in the annual Pride Parade in London on June 25, 2016. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Pride in London 2016 Pride in London Participants take part in the annual Pride Parade in London on June 25, 2016. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Pride in London 2016 Pride in London Participants show their support for victims of the Orlando shooting during the annual Pride Parade in London on June 25, 2016. AFP/Getty Images

“We are highlighting the need for dialogue, unity and solidarity between the Muslim and LGBT communities - to oppose all hate," he said ahead of the parade.

In April, the Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale announced she was in a same-sex relationship on Twitter, making Scotland one of the only countries in the world where the majority of its mainstream party leaders are out as lesbian, gay or bisexual.