LONDON — Treasury minister Angela Eagle has become the first female MP to enter into a civil partnership with her lesbian partner.

Eagle, a 47-year-old Labour MP for Wallasey, and her partner of 18 years, Maria Exall, an engineer with telecoms group BT, took part in the ceremony at Southwark Register Offices in south London on Saturday.

Eagle said she was delighted to be entering into the civil partnership, which was made possible by legislation she was active in enacting.

"It's been great, everyone was very pleased and they are very much in love," said Eagle's twin sister Maria.

Earlier this year, senior opposition MP Alan Duncan became the first parliamentarian to enter into a civil partnership.

Britain has allowed civil partnerships since December 2005, and others who have entered the partnerships include British pop star Elton John and his long-term partner, the Canadian film maker David Furnish.

Tags: civil partnership, commitment ceremony, gay marriage