12 Dec 05

From the office of the Mayor

With the first couples in the capital registering their commitment to each other with Civil Partnership ceremonies from Wednesday 21 December 2005, London Mayor Ken Livingstone said:  'I warmly welcome the fact that legal recognition is finally being offered to same sex couples.

I would like to send my congratulations to lesbian and gay Londoners who are planning to register and wish them every future happiness.

'This is a great day for the lesbians and gay men, who have been campaigning for basic civil rights for decades. The introduction of the London Partnerships Register four years ago acted as a catalyst to move the debate on about the rights of same sex couples. Legal recognition of same sex relationships has been a long time coming, but I hope this momentous day marks a shift in social and political attitudes.'

The Mayor introduced the London Partnerships Register in September 2001, making the Greater London Authority the first public body to offer recognition to same sex and heterosexual couples.

Alexander Cannell and his partner actor Ian Burford, who were the very first couple to sign the London Partnerships Register, will be one of the first couples to register under the Civil Partnership scheme at 8am on Wednesday 21 December.  ENDS

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