Wells quits over child abuse in gay marriage comments

By The Press Association27th April 2015News Northern IrelandChild Abuse, LGBTQ+, News Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland’s Health Minister has quit after sparking controversy over comments about gay marriage.

Jim Wells is to step down from the Stormont Executive on May 11.

In a statement, the DUP MLA, whose wife is seriously ill, said he had asked to resign.

“Having been my chief supporter throughout my career, my first duty will always be to look after Grace and my family,” he said.

Mr Wells was forced to apologise last week after he claimed that children were more likely to be abused in unstable relationships.

Video footage of an election hustings event in South Down showed him saying the “facts show you certainly don’t bring a child up in a homosexual relationship”.

Yesterday, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed they were investigating an alleged incident during an election canvas in Rathfriland, Co Down.

The daughter of a lesbian woman claimed her mother had been upset after an exchange with Mr Wells on their doorstep.

In the statement, which was released this morning, Mr Wells added: “My focus will be on Grace and supporting my family. The events of the last week have taken place against the backdrop of a difficult period.

“On the issue of comments I have made which have attracted significant publicity, I have already said sorry for the offence caused and acknowledged that the comments were factually inaccurate. At no time did I set out to hurt or offend anyone and it has upset me greatly that the comments made have cause distress to some within our community.

“I am deeply saddened that some of those who represent a different viewpoint from me have attacked my family and me in a deeply personal, nasty and, in some cases, threatening way. Some of the outbursts on social media have been particularly abusive and menacing in nature.”

Mr Wells is running as a Westminster candidate for South Down.

The other candidates are Felicity Buchan (Conservative), Chris Hazzard (Sinn Fein), Harold McKee (UUP), Henry Reilly (Ukip), Margaret Ritchie (SDLP) and Martyn Todd (Alliance Party).

The DUP’s stance on LGBT issues, such as its opposition to gay marriage, has been subject to greater scrutiny beyond Northern Ireland during the election campaign, given the party’s potentially important role in the event of a hung parliament.

Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said the furore was an indication of the “truly backward-looking views from the DUP”, but he would not rule out governing alongside the party after the General Election.

DUP leader Peter Robinson said he respected Mr Wells’ decision to stand down.

He said: “I would have wanted it to be otherwise but I respect Jim’s decision. However, he is right to put his family first and I will fully support his decision.”

Mr Wells was a long-standing member of the health scrutiny committee at Stormont but was appointed minister just 10 months ago.

During his brief tenure he oversaw the transfer of children’s heart surgery from Belfast to Dublin and introduced plain packaging for cigarettes.

His wife Grace, who suffered two strokes and underwent major heart surgery, will require long-term care.

It is understood Finance Minister Simon Hamilton has been asked to assume some health duties.

Mr Robinson added: “I place on record my thanks, and that of my party, for Jim’s service and trust everyone will accept the stress and strain Jim has encountered over these past months and offer him and his family support and encouragement as Grace battles her illness.”