Senior UK minister announces she is gay on London's Pride day

One of Britain's frontline Cabinet ministers Justine Greening has announced she is in a same-sex relationship, making her the first openly gay woman in the Conservative cabinet.

The UK's international development secretary in David Cameron's government, who had campaigned for Britain to remain within the European Union (EU) in the referendum, made the announcement on Twitter yesterday as gay pride parades were held in London and across the UK over the weekend.

"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! #Pride2016," 47-year-old Greening tweeted. JK Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter books, was among those who congratulated Greening, 'The Sunday Times' reported.

Cameron also tweeted: "Congratulations Justine that s great news." UK Chancellor George Osborne tweeted, "Congrats Justine. Best news in last 48 hours!"

The 47-year-old Conservative party MP becomes the 33rd openly gay, lesbian or bisexual MP in the House of Commons, which already boasts the highest number of openly gay representatives of any legislature in the world.

Crispin Blunt, a fellow Tory MP who came out in 2010, tweeted: "Good on you. Huge hugs from Pride." The Pride march stopped for a minute in memory of the 49 people shot dead in a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, on June 12.