SCOTTISH Conservative leader Ruth Davidson has announced she is expecting her first child.
Ms Davidson revealed she is three months pregnant and is due to give birth in the late autumn.
The politician said she and her partner Jen Wilson were “delighted” to announce the news, which follows successful IVF treatment.
Mewling, endless demands and sleepless nights: How Holyrood has prepared the mother-to-be well
She said: “Like all new parents-to-be, we are excited – and daunted – about the months to come. Mostly, we are just overjoyed at the prospect of starting a family together.
“While this news may be unexpected for many people, let me reassure my constituents and voters across Scotland that there is no change to my political commitment or plans to lead the Scottish Conservatives into the 2021 Holyrood elections – I’m simply doing what thousands of working women do every year: having a child, taking some time off, and then returning to work soon after.
“My deputy, Jackson Carlaw, will hold the fort for a few months while I am on maternity leave.
“I also know myself, so it’s highly likely I won’t be able to stay off the phone, demanding regular updates, during this time.”
She added: “In the meantime, it is business as usual. We have a very busy few months ahead, and I look forward to throwing myself into events with customary gusto.
“While it often goes unacknowledged, politicians have personal lives too, and I hope people will understand that I want to be able to combine my public role with a family life.
“Jen and I are incredibly lucky in the support we have received from our family and friends over the past few months – and know we can rely on them in the months and years to come. I’d like to thank them all again today.
“We have always dreamed of starting a family and are so pleased to be able to share our happy news.”
Herald View: Ruth Davidson's pregnancy is welcome, but why the need to reassure us?
The couple decided they wanted to try for a family last summer, and began exploring IVF treatment in September.
Ms Davidson then discovered she was pregnant last month, and has admitted it was a struggle to keep it secret.
Good wishes flooded in from across the political spectrum, with Nicola Sturgeon tweeting: “Many congratulations to @RuthDavidsonMSP and her partner Jen on their lovely news. The baby box is on its way!”
Scottish Secretary David Mundell told The Herald: “It’s great news. I’m really pleased for Ruth and Jen. They will be super parents. It’s obviously exciting times ahead for them.
“It’s really good that someone who is a high-profile public figure like Ruth is able to have a family and have a long-lasting relationship. It just shows you don’t have to give up everything to be in frontline politics. As ever, Ruth will be an inspiration to a lot of people.”
Mewling, endless demands and sleepless nights: How Holyrood has prepared the mother-to-be well
Ms Davidson and Ms Wilson plan to get married after the baby arrives.
Their wedding was previously put on hold when their dog was hit by a car – forcing the couple to spend their savings on vet’s bills.
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