11:35am Friday 20th February 2009
BLACKBURN MP Jack Straw has stepped in as Justice Secretary to allow Jade Goody's and her fiance to spend their wedding night together.
The Ministry of Justice said the terms of Jack Tweed's curfew, imposed following his release from prison, would be changed to reflect the "exceptional" circumstances.
Max Clifford, the couple's publicist, said: "We are absolutely thrilled.
"It will be the dream finish to her dream day, and it makes so much difference.
"Our heartfelt thanks from Jade and from Jack for allowing him to stay the evening in these very special circumstances."
The change to Tweed's release conditions mean he will be able to stay at the couple's reception until 3pm on the day after their wedding instead of having to return to his mother's home by 7pm immediately after the couple tie the knot.
Mr Straw said: "It is crucial that offenders are treated equally within the rules regardless of the publicity surrounding their case, but I was satisfied that it was reasonable to allow this."
A spokesman added: "Jack has enormous sympathy for Jade Goody and her family at this time.
"She is showing extraordinary courage and his thoughts are with her and her family."
Mr Tweed was jailed for 18 months last September after assaulting a teenager with a golf club.
He was released early from Wayland Prison in Norfolk last month on condition he wears a tag and returns to his mother's house in Essex by 7pm each day.
Terminally-ill Goody, who has been given weeks to live, was said to have been "heartbroken" at the possibility of parting from her new husband after the wedding on Sunday.
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