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Europe Minister plans to be first gay MP to 'wed' in the Commons
Joe Murphy, Political Editor02.11.09
A Government minister is planning to be the first MP to have a gay wedding in the House of Commons.
Europe Minister Chris Bryant hopes to tie the knot in the historic Speaker's House after getting engaged to partner Jared Cranney.
"Jared and I are engaged and we hope to have a civil partnership - or a marriage is what it feels like - in March next year," said the MP, a trainee priest before he went into politics.
"We'd like to do it in Parliament if possible."
The Evening Standard revealed last month that reforming Speaker John Bercow wants to open up the doors of Parliament to civil partnerships, possibly in his official residence.
If legal obstacles can be overcome, the new Speaker wants to show Parliament as modern and inclusive by providing gay MPs with an equivalent to the traditional right of MPs and peers to marry in the ancient crypt chapel under the Commons.
Speaker's House is one of Britain's grandest apartments, adorned with Utrecht curtains and chandelabra. A spokesman for the Speaker confirmed: "The Speaker is very keen on the idea of holding civil partnership ceremonies at Westminster and he would be very happy for Speaker's House to be used.
"There are, however, a number of legal and practical problems that we are looking into."
Speaker's House sits under Big Ben overlooking the Thames. It was built in 1858 to the designs of architect Charles Barry and gothic revivalist AWG Pugin. Portraits of former Speakers adorn the walls, which are covered in carved oak and £300-a-roll wallpaper.
Upstairs is the state bedroom, containing a huge red bed on which the monarch was intended to sleep on the night before the Coronation.
Former Speaker Michael Martin was embroiled in a row when he oversaw £724,600 spent on refurbishments and £992,000 on improving security in the garden.
Gay weddings cannot take place in the crypt chapel because that would breach Church of England rules. Other venues within the Palace could include Westminster Hall or the official residences of the Speaker and Lord Chancellor.
Reader views (10)
Would it not be more appropriate for him to hitch up with his 'partner' in the EU Commission?
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
He has my blessing,but as a tax payer that will cost you 50 000.Please note the bill needs to be paid upfront.
- Dave, london
I wish him the best of luck taking his partner up the aisle.
- Bob, Cheam
Erm a bit selfish if you ask me, i sometimes find it a little distasteful some of the things MPs come out with. Time i think people started growing up a bit and keeping private affairs to themselves..
- Emily, London
A political union in every sense of the word. Kinda smells a little of political hustle to me though. Photo-op events are anything but personal, so this 'event' is just another intrusion into the consciousness of those who couldn't care less what bee others have in their bonnet about their lifestyle choices.
- Rogan, Irving
Fair enough. If I had changed the law to suit myself, I'd also want to make sure I used it.
- Jane, London
No it's just you davey_bouy and a few other fossils that will be ultimately swept away by the rising tide of tolerance and respect in this country. I look forward to that day.
- Aidan Reid, london, uk
got to be a joke? then again look at what happens there
- Terry Chambers, London
Fantastic - congratulations to Chris and Jared; the Mother of Parliaments has always been about the rights and freedoms of the people and this makes a refreshing counterpoint to the hate filled homophobia of the Christian right.
- Derek, London
Is the whole human race going potty or is it just me ?.
- Davey_Bouy, Chertsey UK
