Border police storm genuine wedding, which they suspected was a sham

Couple were separated and questioned for half an hour before ceremony resumed

Yes, he has to wear a wedding ring. Unless he is Gollum, it doesn't hurt us, Precious. And how else do you think other women will know not to fall in love with him? (Alamy)

UK border police stormed and halted a wedding in London before realising the suspected sham ceremony was genuine.

Italian groom Massimo Ciabattini and his Chinese bride Miao Guo were taking their vows in Camden Town Hall on Thursday when four police officers in flak jackets burst into the room.

Halting the ceremony, officers separated the couple and questioned them for half an hour about the marriage.

The bridesmaids were also questioned before the Home Office Immigration Enforcement staff realised that they had made a mistake.

The registrar had contacted the agency because the bride’s visa was expiring in six weeks and the pair, who met working for Harrods in Knightsbridge, had difficulty spelling each other’s surnames.

Border police had been so sure the marriage was a sham, that they had even invited a journalist from the Camden New Journal along to report on the raid.

But a Home Office employee later told the reporter: “It is either the best sham wedding I have ever seen or it is real”.

Following the interruption the wedding continued.

A spokesman from Camden Council said: “We are legally obliged to report any suspected sham marriages or civil partnerships to the Home Office, based on the criteria outlined in the Immigration and Asylum Act of 1999. It is then for the Home Office to decide how to progress and whether to take action.”

A Home Office spokesman said: “Where suspicions are raised that a marriage may not be genuine we will investigate. On this occasion no action was taken.”