Two of the country’s most senior politicians were dishwashers for Scotland’s first Mexican restaurant.

First Minister John Swinney and Pat McFadden, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, both worked in the kitchen of popular Edinburgh eatery, Viva Mexico.

The Labour minister revealed the connection as he talked about Sir Keir Starmer’s decision to give his department responsibility for “Union and devolution policy across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland".

He said the Cabinet Office was the “right place” for intergovernmental relations. “The Prime Minister has asked me to do that. I already had an introductory call with the First Minister on Thursday afternoon.

“As it's a small world, I've known the First Minister for many, many years. In fact, about almost 40 years ago, we shared the same dishwashing job in a Mexican restaurant in Edinburgh, Viva Mexico with Julio Gonzalez and her family.

“So we've known one another for a long time, and I don't think anybody's under any illusions about political differences, and you can't make them go away.

“And we're a Labour government. We have a certain view of the UK, which is obviously different from the SNP’s, but I think having a respectful relationship is a good thing and a good thing for everybody, and that's what we'll try and aim for.”

A spokesman for Mr Swinney said: “The First Minister fondly remembers his time washing dishes. It is a huge compliment to the magnificent Viva Mexico that it proved to be such a great training ground for a successful career in national politics.”

The restaurant on the capital’s Cockburn Street shut for good in January.

In a post on Facebook, the owners said it was “time to turn off the grill and put down the cocktail shaker.”

"As one of the first to bring Mexican food to the capital, we are happy that the city has embraced the cuisine to the full.

"Having tackled all that has been thrown at us over the years, we couldn't have done it without the most loyal customers, those that have visited us briefly passing through the city, not to mention our amazing staff, many of which will always be considered part of the Viva Mexico family forever, wherever they are around the world.”