SCOTTISH Tory leader Ruth Davidson has revealed she is pregnant with her first child – and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon had a hilarious reply.

Tweeting her response to the news, Sturgeon said: "Many congratulations to @RuthDavidsonMSP and her partner Jen on their lovely news. The baby box is on its way!"

The flagship SNP baby box policy, helping children get an equal start in life, hasn't proven overly popular with the Scottish Conservatives.

Ruth Davidson herself retweeted a claim that baby boxes were "a gimmick".

And in early March Tory councillor Claire Imrie was slammed for wanting to waste taxpayer cash, saying she was planning to apply for a baby box just to give it away.

READ MORE: Tory councillor applies for baby box just to give it away in cheap stunt

The boxes contain items such as bedding, clothes and toys for newsborn children.

Davidson's deputy within the party, Jackson Carlaw, will take charge while she is on maternity leave.

She said: "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 we 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 pleased to be able to share our happy news."