LABOUR leader Kezia Dugdale is to marry her long-term partner after the couple got engaged on a romantic break.

The Scottish politician exchanged rings with long-term partner Louise Riddell while the pair holidayed in Puerto Soller, Mallorca.

The couple have been together since 2008, but Dugdale only publicly revealed she is gay four months ago. They made their first public appearance as a couple when they cast their votes during this year's Scottish election in May, posing for pictures together.

Ms Dugdale said: “I’m utterly thrilled to be marrying the love of my life and we can’t wait to start planning.

“We hope this news brings a smile to a few peoples faces and we’ll certainly be toasting all those campaigners and activists who made marriage equality possible.”

Louise, 33, is a lecturer at Edinburgh College and a keen runner. She tweeted a picture of the couple's engagement diamond rings, from Glasgow’s James Porter and Sons.


Dugdale came out as gay in an interview in April. She revealed she has a female partner, adding: “I don’t talk about it very much because I don’t feel I need to.”

Dugdale is the fourth Scottish party leader, including Tory Ruth Davidson, to come out as gay or bisexual.