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Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale has found love - with a SNP MSP.

The 35-year-old today confirmed she has been dating Mid Fife and Glenrothes MSP Jenny Gilruth since March.

Dugdale split from her partner of nine years, Louise Riddell, last Christmas - just five months after they got engaged.

Gilruth, 32, is a former teacher who was elected to the Scottish Parliament for the nationalists in May last year.

She is a parliamentary liaison officer to Deputy First Minister John Swinney.

(Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire)

The couple became friends during a cross-party politics trip to the US last summer, but there was no romance until earlier this year.

In a joint statement, the couple 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.

(Image: PA)

“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.”

A close friend of the couple said: “Kez and Jenny are so happy together and make a great couple. They share much in common, but like so many couples they differ over their politics - which is something they will always agree to disagree on.”

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon took to Twitter to show her support and to congratulate the couple on their announcement.

She tweeted: "So love really does conquer all! Wishing every happiness to @JennyGilruth & @kezdugdale"

Dugdale only publicly revealed she is gay in April last year during the Holyrood election campaign.