Wedding bells beckon for NI secretary

Dr Reid walks with fiancee Carine Adler at Hillsborough

Northern Ireland Secretary Dr John Reid is expected to marry his fiancee in the spring, it has been announced.

A spokesman for Dr Reid said a private ceremony would take place in the "not-too-distant future".

A date for the marriage of Dr Reid, 54, to his Brazilian fiancee Carine Adler has not been confirmed but it is expected to be held in London.

A spokesperson for Dr Reid said he could not confirm the time or location of the wedding for security reasons.

Intention

"The couple are planning a small private ceremony in the not-too-distant future to which family and a few close personal friends will be invited," he said.

The politician met 54-year-old Ms Adler, a Brazilian film director, two years ago after the sudden death of his wife Cathie following a heart attack.

Last year, Dr Reid announced his intention to marry again but until recently had not set a date.

It is expected both Dr Reid's sons, Kevin and Mark, and Ms Adler's son, Hal, from a previous marriage, will be at the ceremony.

A former adviser to Neil Kinnock, Dr Reid entered Parliament as MP for Motherwell North in 1987.

He joined the Labour front bench in 1990, becoming shadow armed forces minister in 1995, and defence minister after Labour's General Election victory in 1997. The following year he became transport minister.

He was appointed Scottish Secretary on May 17 1999 after the advent of the Scottish Parliament and became Northern Ireland Secretary in January 2001.