International Development Secretary Justine Greening becomes the first openly LGBT female cabinet minister
MP reveals her same-sex relationship, tweeting 'I campaigned for Stronger In but sometimes you're better off out!'
INTERNATIONAL Development Secretary Justine Greening has revealed she is in a same sex relationship.
The announcement makes Ms Greening the first openly LGBT female cabinet minister.
Writing on Twitter, the Putney MP said the day of London's Pride Parade was a good time to go public.
Her announcement was met with congratulations from both sides of the political divide – with some saying the news was a more than welcome distraction from the general mood following Brexit.
Ms Greening wrote: “Today's a good day to say I'm in a happy same sex relationship, I campaigned for Stronger In but sometimes you're better off out!”
London was awash with colour yesterday as the LGBT community celebrated with its annual Pride festival despite security fears following the Orlando massacre.
Thousands lined the streets with rainbow flags and balloons as the parade made its way through London, finishing up in Whitehall.
Responding to Ms Greening’s announcement, Scotland Secretary David Mundell, who came out in January, wrote: “So pleased for you! You won't regret it. Coming out was the best thing I ever did.”
Cabinet Office Minister Matt Hancock was among the first to tweet his support for the Putney MP, saying: “Many congratulations Justine - and happy Pride 2016!”
Shadow Business Secretary Angela Eagle tweeted “congratulations”, while Labour MP Wes Streeting wrote: “Congratulations, Justine! Happy Pride 2016.”
Ms Greening is now the second member of the Cabinet to come out, following Mr Mundell’s announcement in January.
Writing about the decision in a blog post, he said: “Over time, I came to understand that, for me, the only way to be truly happy on a personal level is to acknowledge in public as well as in private, who I am.”
The only Conservative MP in Scotland said: “I have already set out my political priorities for the year and now I am setting out my personal one.
“Having taken one of the most important decisions of my life and resolved to come out publicly as gay in 2016, I just want to get on with it, and now, just like that, I have said it.
“How can it be both so easy and so hard to say a few short words?”
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368.