Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, has said he was “proud” to fly the rainbow flag at Whitehall last year for the very first time, and said he hopes other departments will do the same this year.

Speaking exclusively to PinkNews, the leader of the Liberal Democrats said he thought that Whitehall flying the rainbow flag was a good demonstration, and a “symbol of pride”.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: “Flying the rainbow flag is a great symbol of pride – and what better place than Whitehall, the centre of government, to demonstrate that. I was proud to raise the flag for the first time last year, and hope to see more departments following suit this year.”

Earlier this week, speaking in advance of the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill’s third reading in the House of Commons, Mr Clegg said: “The bottom line is I will do whatever I judge is best to safeguard the bill and to make sure it doesn’t become hijacked by those whose ulterior motive is actually to discredit or to derail the legislation.”

In Tuesday’s vote, the Marriage (Same sex couples) Bill passed its third reading in the House of Commons.

MPs voted 366 to 161 overwhelmingly in favour of passing the bill, giving it a majority of 205. It will now travel to the House of Lords for further scrutiny, debate and voting.