Opik announces engagement
Liberal Democrat frontbencher Lembit Opik has announced his engagement to weather girl Sian Lloyd.
The couple made their first public appearance at the Liberal Democrat party conference in 2002, having reportedly first met several years ago at political correspondent Guto Hari’s engagement party.
Ms Lloyd was a contestant on the second series of “I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here” and presents the weather for ITV.
In addition she is an expert in Welsh language- though she has reportedly given up trying to teach Mr Opik.
Mr Opik is widely respected within the Liberal Democrats and the wider environment of Westminster.
An active MP, who frequently appears in the media, he is perhaps best know for his interest in the possibility of asteroid collision with the Earth.
Mr Opik has frequently called on the Government to take the possibility of collision more seriously and formulate prevention and response strategies.
A spokesman for the couple said that the wedding was pencilled in for summer 2005, depending on the date of the general election.
The announcement confirms rumours that have been circulating for weeks within Westminster.
In fact on 19th May the couple denied they had any plans to marry.
Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy, who married two years ago, has sent his congratulations to the couple.
He told the Daily Telegraph: “Lembit is following in my footsteps.
“Two years in, I can thoroughly commend the institution of marriage. I’m delighted for Lembit and Sian.”
