Miliband to marry... but brother not called on for best man jokes

THE wedding calendar was already looking fairly full this year, and now Labour leader Ed Miliband has revealed he is to marry his long-term partner Justine Thornton on May 27.

With two Royal weddings already in the diary, Doncaster North MP Mr Miliband will marry Ms Thornton in a small ceremony near Nottingham after proposing in the romantic setting of Primrose Hill, which overlooks central London.

Mr Miliband has repeatedly fended off questions over his marriage plans since becoming leader – and previously said he was “too busy” – but yesterday he said he would be doing things “in our own way”.

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After defeating his older brother in the Labour leadership contest, he revealed David was the second person to learn the news – after his mother – but said he was not having a best man.

“He is delighted for me and he will obviously be there,” said Mr Miliband, who was best man at his older brother’s wedding 13 years ago.

Mr Miliband and lawyer Justine have been together for several years and have two sons, and the Labour leader said it was “the right time” for the couple to tie the knot.

He revealed that they had decided they would get married about a year ago and will have a “small ceremony” at Langar Hall hotel near Nottingham, not far from where Ms Thornton grew up, followed by a honeymoon in an undisclosed location.

They will have a party in Doncaster later.

“This is going to be a fantastic day for us both and I feel incredibly privileged to be marrying someone so beautiful and who is such a special person,” said Mr Miliband, in an interview.