Congratulations

... to Chris Smith and his partner of 18 years, Dorian Jabri, who had a civil partnership ceremony at Islington Town Hall on Friday.

The couple made the announcement on Saturday night at a party that had been billed as Lord Smith of Finsbury's 55th birthday bash.

The ex-Cabinet Minister was the first openly gay MP – he came out in 1984 – and he now becomes the first peer to have a civil partnership.

Lord Smith was heavily involved in bringing about the Civil Partnerships Act that made their union possible.