MP Justin Tomlinson has confirmed he has split from his wife Jo and that they are both in new relationships.

The Tory minister, 39, is now dating his 25-year-old office manager Katie Bennett who is 14 years younger than him.

Katie announced their relationship on Facebook on Tuesday.

And, while many in the town have known for some time that the pair are an item, a national newspaper yesterday published an article about their relationship prompting Justin to publicly confirm it was true.

“Jo and I are divorced after parting amicably last year,” the Disabilities Minister told the Adver yesterday.

The North Swindon MP married Jo, nee Wheeler, in 2012 at St Mary’s Undercroft, in a lavish ceremony in the 13th century chapel in the House of Commons. The service was led by Commons chaplain, the Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin, and the best man was Justin’s friend, Andrew Percy, the Conservative MP for Brigg and Goole.

But, after last year’s General Election, which saw Justin win by a landslide, the pair parted ways and are now just friends.

Justin posed on the night of last year’s General Election with an arm around his wife on one side and his future girlfriend on the other.

Although the Tory Party website still states Mr Tomlinson and Jo are married, he yesterday confirmed they were amicably divorced and getting on with their lives.

The Sun’s report stated: ‘Disabilities Minister Justin Tomlinson, 39, claimed he was still “friends” with his ex-wife last night after publishing loved up pics of him canoodling with his taxpayer-funded researcher.’

The couple have shared pictures together on social media, including football matches and on holiday.

Katie recently posted pictures of them on a trip to the Belgian city of Bruges and on a trip to watch Swindon Town FC.

Justin said yesterday: “Jo wanted a new life, but we remain very good friends and are both in happy new relationships.”