Lord Waheed Alli wins Politician of the Year

Lord Waheed Alli has been named Politician of the Year at the Attitude Awards 2014.

In 1998, Alli was made a Labour life peer at the age of 34, becoming the youngest and first openly gay peer in Parliament.

One of the few openly gay Muslim politicians in the world, Lord Alli has been an outspoken gay rights champion throughout his political career, spearheading the campaign to repeal Section 28 and fighting for the equalisation of the age of consent for gay men.

Speaking to Attitude about his proudest moment in Parliament, the 49-year-old said: “Gay marriage. Because it’s a culmination. And it came from a Conservative Prime Minister.

“I was so proud of the House of Lords that day – so proud of these people, who’ve been on this remarkable journey, who voted in greater numbers and with a bigger majority than the House of Commons.”

The Labour peer was presented with the Politician of the Year Award by the Leader of the Opposition, Ed Miliband, at tonight’s star-studded awards ceremony at Banqueting House in Whitehall, London, which is being hosted by Scissor Sisters star Ana Matronic.

Lord Alli has alsoposed for the latest Attitude – the Awards Issue – and appears on one of nine special collectible covers. Take a look below.