Kezia Dugdale: Former Scottish Labour leader claims she was outed as gay against her will

'It was really difficult, I didn’t have complete control and it was in the middle of an incredibly intense election campaign in 2016,' says politician

Ms Dugdale says other journalists were aware of her sexuality but paid attention to her desire for it not to be publicly revealed in the press (Getty)

Former Scottish Labour Leader Kezia Dugdale has said she was forced into coming out as gay after a magazine outed her.

The Lothian MSP, who resigned as leader of the Scottish Labour Party on Tuesday, said she told the Fabian Review not to include quotes about her sexuality but they chose them to print them regardless.

“I have a female partner. I don’t talk about it much because I don’t feel I need to,” she told the magazine at the time.

Ms Dugdale said other journalists were aware of her sexuality but paid attention to her desire for it not to be publicly revealed.

Mary Riddell, who wrote the piece for the Rabian Review, denied there had been wrongdoing on her part saying: "at no point during the interview or afterwards did [Ms Dugdale] ask me not to publish her comments, which were recorded with her agreement." Ms Riddell also said she had not received any complaint from Ms Dugdale about the use of her quotes.

However, the politician has said she regrets the fact she did not have more control and autonomy over coming out.

“It was really difficult, I didn’t have complete control and it was in the middle of an incredibly intense election campaign in 2016,” she told the Victoria Derbyshire programme.

She added: “It wasn’t the first time I had been asked about my sexuality or relationship and I would answer journalists honestly, and then say I would prefer they didn’t use that information”.

“Up until that day, everyone had respected that until that one journalist decided it was a story. I had to suck it, make the best of it. I regret that – it was unfair.”

The Fabian Society said it was “very sorry” she was upset by the old interview, saying in a statement: “We are very sorry that Kezia Dugdale was upset by the interview that appeared in the Fabian Review in 2016. This wide-ranging and comprehensive on the record interview was conducted by an experienced, broadsheet journalist who followed usual journalistic practice."

Ms Dugdale, who is in a relationship with SNP MSP Jenny Gilruth, explained the night before the piece was published she made some phone calls to tell people about her sexuality before it was revealed in the press.

The politician announced she was stepping down as leader of the Scottish Labour Party just days ago to let someone with "fresh energy, drive and a new mandate" take her place. She said she wanted to make sure her successor had the "space and time" to prepare for the next Scottish Parliament election in 2021.

Despite previously criticising Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and backing his rival Owen Smith in last year's leadership contest, she strongly denied suggestions she was leaving to avoid being pushed out by Mr Corbyn's supporters.

Mr Corbyn thanked Ms Dugdale for "the important role she has played in rebuilding the party in Scotland".

The leader said: "Kezia became Scottish leader at one of the most difficult times in the history of the Scottish Labour Party, and the party's revival is now fully under way, with six new MPs and many more to come.

"I want to thank Kez for her tireless service to our party and movement, and look forward to campaigning with her in future for a country that works for the many, not the few."

* This article has been updated to make clear that Mary Riddell, the journalist who wrote the piece about which Ms Dugdale has now spoken, denies any suggestion that she acted improperly in using comments that had been given to her on the record. 5/9/17