Liverpool policeman James Parkes ties the knot
James Downey-Parkes, the Liverpool policeman who was beaten in a homophobic assault in October, has had a civil partnership.
Mr Downey-Parkes, 22, spent weeks recovering from his injuries after he was attacked in Liverpool’s gay village while off-duty.
He and his new husband Tom, who works in healthcare, attended a reception at Downing Street last night to mark the contribution of LGBT people to Britain.
Mr Downey-Parkes told PinkNews.co.uk that the couple had their civil partnership on February 6th in Liverpool and a reception with 250 guests.
He said they had kept the news quiet until now.
The couple were congratulated by Gordon Brown in a speech and were able to meet the prime minister and his wife.
Mr Downey-Parkes said he was “shocked” at being mentioned by the prime minister and being able to meet him.
He added: “We’ve never been to anything like this before.”
He was able to return to work several months after the attack, in which he suffered a fractured skull and cheekbone.
Thirteen boys between the ages of 13 and 17 have been arrested and bailed in connection with the assault.
