A new father is suing a current affairs magazine run by a former newspaper journalist on the grounds of sex discrimination.

The Edinburgh Evening News has exclusively revealed Mark Riding is taking legal action against Holyrood Communications, alleging the company sacked him instead of letting him work reduced hours to care for his son.

Mr Riding worked nine years full-time as a £24,000-a-year data manager for the firm, which runs Holyrood magazine.

An employment tribunal hearing is scheduled for this week.

The title is run by managing director and magazine editor Mandy Rhodes, who was previously social affairs correspondent at Scotland on Sunday.

Mr Riding told the EEN last week: “It would be inappropriate to comment at this stage but I look forward to putting my case at next week’s tribunal.”

Accoring to the EEN, his claim is understood to relate to a request to work three days a week after his son, Lucas, was born in February last year.

Although the request was initially granted, he claims the company backtracked after being told the role would be full-time.

Mr Riding is understood to claim he was given just minutes to clear his desk after rejecting a statutory redundancy package.

Holyrood is ultimately owned by London-based media firm Dods Group.

Ms Rhodes declined to comment about Mr Riding’s case when approached by the Evening News last week.