Commons wedding gifts for couple - 15/01/10

Politicians and families could soon be carrying their wedding gifts to UK Parliament's first-ever gay marriage, Commons Speaker John Bercow has said.

The event, which could take place before the general election, would see a civil partnership between Europe minister Chris Bryant and partner Jared Cranney take place in the Palace of Westminster.

According to Mr Bercow, Westminster City Council was likely to grant a licence for civil ceremonies "within a matter of weeks".

The speaker, who has championed gay rights, said he was "very confident" of the licence getting the green light so the wedding could go-ahead - with his official residence Speaker's House touted as a possible venue.

He said: "My very confident expectation is that we will get a licence and I hope that it will be within a matter of weeks. I am cautiously optimistic that the first such civil partnership ceremony will take place on the parliamentary estate before the election, if the election is in May."

Commons wedding gifts for couple - 15/01/10

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