David Panton looks suave in a navy suit following split from Julie Bishop

David Panton was all smiles on Thursday night when he stepped out for his first public appearance following his shock split with former foreign minister, Julie Bishop.

Panton allegedly dumped Ms Bishop, 66, over dinner in Sydney just weeks ago after an eight-year relationship.

The co-founder of medical technology company Pantonic Health, 61, looked dashing in Sydney as he posed for photos at the launch of Mercedes-Benz’s newest electric vehicle.

Panton ensured all eyes were on him – wearing an impeccably tailored navy suit with a pocket square.

He teamed the stylish ensemble with a crisp white shirt, designer tie, polished black shoes and a pricey watch.

Panton didn’t appear heartbroken after ending his romance with Ms Bishop last month.

During their partnership, Ms Bishop took Mr Panton to the United Nations to meet world leaders, Buckingham Palace to hobnob with British royalty and to the White House where he met Donald and Melania Trump.

The pair first stepped out publicly in 2014, and were pictured at countless celebrity events over the years including the 2018 wedding of Karl Stefanovic and Jasmine Yarbrough.

They had appeared to be going strong when they recently visited St James’ Palace in London for an event honoring Prince Charles’ charity.

Ms Bishop was understood to have been ‘blindsided’ by the sudden breakdown of her relationship, sources close to the former politician said.

Daily Mail Australia understands she had been finding more ways to be in Sydney with Mr Panton.

Ms Bishop emerged for the first time since the split smiling happily for photos at a Perth mining conference on July 11, although insiders said she was hurting in the wake of the bust-up and was shocked at the way he’d pulled the pin so suddenly.

Another source close to Ms Bishop was slightly less diplomatic about the sudden end to the affair, hinting that Mr Panton’s presence in her inner circle ‘divided’ some of her friends and colleagues.

But ‘JBish’, as she was referred to in Canberra, remained smitten.

‘Let’s just say a there are a few who might be relieved that it’s over,’ said one, adding: ‘His personality didn’t always gel with everyone.’

Mr Panton met Ms Bishop while she was in the midst of her political career, serving as Australia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The pair maintained a long-distance relationship for years, with Ms Bishop based in Perth while he lived in Sydney.