Matthew Parris: married on a Thursday
The Times has revealed its star political columnist Matthew Parris has entered into a civil partnership with his long-time boyfriend.
Parris, a former Conservative MP, ‘tied the knot’ in a ceremony in Bakewell, Derbyshire.
His partner is Guardian journalist Julian Glover. They have been a couple for 11 years.
The couple are currently on holiday in Columbia with friends. Parris had welcomed the new partnership law, but lamented the loss of yet more precious weekends to attending nuptial ceremonies.
He chose a Thursday for his own big day, attended by a handful of close friends and members of Mr Glover’s family.
Mr Parris was Tory MP for West Derbyshire from 1979 to 1986. He had been an aide to Mrs Thatcher while she was Leader of the Opposition.
He left politics after failing to be promoted to ministerial office, and began a career in newspapers and television.
In 1998 he famously outed Peter Mandelson during an edition of Newsnight.
The couple intend to retain their separate London residences. They have a country home in Derbyshire, complete with pet llamas.
