In London, House of Commons open for gay weddings

The House of Commons is to be opened up for gay weddings, Gordon Brown will announce today.

In a Commons hearing he will urge new measures to make Parliament more welcoming for gays, ethnic minorities and women.

And the PM believes it will be an "important symbol" if civil partnerships can take place in the Palace of Westminster.

A senior Downing Street source said: "Parliament is often seen as hidebound by history and tradition.

"Making this change would be of huge symbolic importance." 

At present only MPs, their families or senior staff can get married in Parliament, using the 13th century Chapel of St Mary Undercroft.