Saturday 27 September 2008

BBC News: MP sets civil ceremony precedent

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/england/merseyside/7639581.stm
27.9.8

Treasury Minister Angela Eagle has become the first female MP to tie theknot in a civil partnership. The Labour MP for Wallasey and Maria Exall, her partner of 18 years, madethe commitment at Southwark Register Offices in south London. Ms Eagle, 47, was involved in bringing in the Labour government's CivilPartnerships Act of 2004. Ms Eagle's twin sister Maria said: It's been great, everyone was verypleased and they are very much in love." About 50 guests witnessed the ceremony and were heading to Ms Eagle's homefor a reception. Political meeting Further celebrations were planned for a Clapham pub, where Commons LeaderHarriett Harman was expected to be among the guests. Ms Harman announced her colleague's engagement at the TUC Congress in Brighton earlier this month. Ms Eagle met Ms Exall, a BT engineer, at the Peckham Labour Party. Ms Eagle, who has been the MP for Wallasey since 1992, is the only openlygay woman in the House of Commons. Shadow business secretary Alan Duncan became the first Tory MP to enter into a civil partnership in July, when he wed his partner, James Dunseath.

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