Gay MPs and peers should to be allowed to hold civil partnership ceremonies inside Parliament. Prime Minister Gordon Brown said today.

His remarks came as the three party leaders appeared before the Speaker's Conference to discuss parliamentary reform.

During his 20-minute question-and-answer session, Mr Brown said Labour would 'increase support for LGBT [lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender] candidates' at the General Election. The Prime Minister gave his backing to Dorothy's List - the campaign fund to support openly-LGBT candidates standing for Labour at the next election.

"Just as marriages can take place in the House, we hope Mr Speaker will consider that civil ceremonies could take place here," he told MPs

Richard Angell, National Secretary of LGBT Labour said about the Prime Minister endorsement:

"Gordon Brown to right to ask Parliament to open itself up to civil partnerships - it is right that Parliament changes with the times.

"Labour is doing more than any party to support openly-LGBT people to become MPs through Dorothy's List which now has more than £6000 to support openly-LGBT candidates standing for Labour. Only Labour has a campaign fund to help openly-LGBT candidates, the funding is designed to bring about a more representative House of Commmons and give openly-LGBT candidates the resources to fight homophobia in their local media.

"For Parliament to reflect the conservative estimate that the LGBT Community is just 6% that would require nearly 40 lesbian and gay MPs. Only Labour can deliver equality."

• Gordon Brown wants civil partnerships to be held in the House of Commons, Pink News
• Gordon Brown to recommend civil partnerships, Pink Paper
• Gordon Brown to recommend civil partnership ceremonies in parliament, Guardian