Nicola Sturgeon has insisted that she is not ‘rushing into a relationship with anyone’ – including women.

In an interview with ITV to be broadcast on Monday night, the former SNP leader – who was divorced in January – was questioned about her sexuality, just days after extracts from her forthcoming autobiography coyly addressed long-running rumours about her personal life.

In the interview, presenter Julie Etchingham asks Ms Sturgeon directly: ‘Might we see you in a relationship with a woman?’

She replies: ‘I’m just out of a marriage, so I’m not rushing into a relationship with anyone, anytime soon.

'I’m enjoying being my own person for a while.’