SKY News political editor Beth Rigby has confessed she “love-bombed” former Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson during a leadership campaign launch for Sajid Javid.
At an exclusive event in Glasgow, Rigby and Davidson were joined on stage by former Labour MP Harriet Harman as they discussed the creation of their Sky podcast Electoral Dysfunction in front of dozens of journalists.
During a conversation about how the trio got together to create the show, Davidson described Rigby’s “fangirling” of her as “quite full on”, joking that she had to get a “restraining order” against her.
Davidson was Scottish Tory leader at the time, having stepped back from the role in 2021.
She backed Javid for Tory leader in 2019 saying he had a vision to unite a "divided Britain". The former home secretary was one of 11 MPs at the time hoping to replace Theresa May.
In front of a room packed full of experienced and up-and-coming journalists, Davidson explained how she didn’t know either of her fellow podcasters well before launching the programme a couple of years ago.
This then led to a confession from Rigby that she had “fangirled” Davidson at a Tory leadership campaign launch for Sajid Javid in 2019.
Responding to Davidson saying why she had joined the podcast, Rigby said: “You told me it was because you really liked me?
Davidson replied: “I didn’t know you, to be honest, we didn’t know each other.”
Rigby then said: “I did fangirl you at that Sajid Javid launch.”
Davidson then went on to joke she had to get a “restraining order” against Rigby because she was “quite full on”.
“Then I got a restraining order against you because you’re quite full-on, love,” she said.
“I mean I love you but, jeez, I’ve grown to love you,”
Just a few minutes later, Rigby spoke again about how she “love-bombed” Davidson (below) as the former Scottish Tory leader went to support Javid at his launch.
The dictionary definition of "love bomb" is to "lavish someone with attention or affection, especially in order to influence or manipulate them".
Amid Davidson continuing to mock Rigby, the Sky News journalist said to her: “I think it is good that we have you in all ways.”
Reacting to a thread detailing the conversation on Twitter/X, people have said it brings into question whether Rigby is able to hold politicians accountable if she is getting "too personally cosy" with them.
Went to an event for journalists this afternoon with a panel from Electoral Dysfunction. Without being personal towards the women who do this podcast, some of the chat really summed up why political journalism is broken in the UK
— Laura Webster (@LauraEWebsterr) April 4, 2025
Sharing the thread by The National's editor Laura Webster, one user said: "Good thread on journalists getting too personally cosy with politicians."
Another one said: "A depressing, yet totally unsurprising thread on the UK's political and media class, and how its most well-regarded lobby journalists are more likely to campaign to get their politician friends into Strictly than ever hold them accountable."
Rigby has been at Sky News since 2016 and was appointed political editor in 2019, the same year she claimed she “love-bombed” Davidson.
Later on in the talk, Harman said Davidson "should be on Strictly" and Rigby then went on to say: "Can someone start the campaign?".
Davidson could then be heard saying "I'm in".
Sky News has been approached for comment.
