Labour's first Jewish leader has paid tribute to his religion by smashing a glass at his wedding.

Ed Miliband married his longtime partner Justine Thornton earlier today at a small civil ceremony outside Nottingham. The couple tied the knot in the presence of Mr Miliband's brother David and their two sons.

The Milibands asked the 50 guests to make charitable donations instead of bringing presents. Mr Miliband wore a light grey suit from Harold Tillman's Aquascutum label.

Mr Miliband, 41, was elected as the Labour leader in September in a closely fought contest with his brother.

In his speech at the Labour Party Conferenec shortly after, he paid tribute to his late father, Marxist philosopher Ralph Miliband and his mother Marion Kozak, both of whom came to Britain to escape the Nazis.

He said: "Two young people fled the darkness that had engulfed the Jews across Europe.

"They arrived with nothing. This country gave them everything."