SCOTTISH Tory leader Ruth Davidson has welcomed Ireland's decision to legalise same sex marriage.

Davidson, who is openly gay, said the historic move was significant because it was a "vote of the whole country, not just politicians in a parliament".

She said: "People right across Ireland have shown they want to uphold a simple principle - that if you love someone and they love you in return, you should be able to marry, no matter your sexuality.

"Irrespective of how they voted, everyone in Ireland deserves huge credit for the way this referendum has been conducted."

Davidson's girlfriend, Jen Wilson, is Irish and the MSP hinted before the referendum that the couple could marry in her partner's homeland.

"There's a woman who's sitting here who would be desperate to go home and be that Yes vote in Ireland," she said. "Who knows, maybe an Irish wedding in our future?"