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24/04/2015
Appearing at a hustings event in Downpatrick on Thursday evening, Mr Wells can be seen in a video recording, where he appears to say: "All the evidence throughout the world says the best way to raise children is in a loving, stable, married relationship...
"You don't bring a child up in a homosexual relationship. A child is far more likely to be abused and neglected."
His comments were met with uproar from those in attendance. He later described his remarks as an "error", and that they did not represent his views or those of his political party, the DUP.
The Minister has since been criticised by a number of Northern Ireland's political parties. Colum Eastwood, SDLP MLA, and Alliance North Down MLA, Stephen Farry, called for him to retract his comments. While Chris Hazzard, from Sinn Féin, has called for Minister Wells to step down from his post.
In a statement, the South Down MLA said: "I was shocked and dismayed at the Health Minister's comments during last night's event. His remarks linking child abuse with gay relationships were an attack on the whole LGBT community and he should retract them immediately and apologise unreservedly.
"His disgraceful comments clearly call into question Mr Wells' responsibility and ability to run a health service for all. Unfortunately this is only the latest in a long line of attacks on the LGBT community by the DUP.
"Some members of his party have already moved to distance themselves from his comments. I am calling on his party leader Peter Robinson to make it clear where he stands on Mr Wells' views."
On Friday, a statement was released by Northern Ireland's First Minister and DUP leader Peter Robinson which said that the party would stand by Mr Wells.
He added that his colleague had "accepted the remarks were offensive and that is why he has apologised".
A follow-up statement from Wells added that he was "saddened that some people were trying to misrepresent my comments".
He said: "The last few weeks have been extremely difficult for me personally. I had just come from a hospital visit and my focus was not on the debate.
"I have listened to a recording of the relevant part of the debate. I accept that one line of what I said caused offence and deep concern amongst members of the audience and beyond."
He went on to say that he then twice clarified the comments made during the event, to which was confirmed by some of the media at the event.
"Partial clips, spin and selective reporting regrettably miss this," he said. "The neglect or abuse of children is awful and happens in unstable relationships whether they are heterosexual or homosexual.
"I make no distinction between anyone who neglects or abuses a child regardless of their sexual orientation. I trust people will accept my explanation and my apology."
(JP/MH)
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Health Minister Apologises Over 'Gay Relationship' Remarks
Northern Ireland's Health Minister, Jim Wells, has issued an apology over comments he made regarding child abuse and same-sex relationships.Appearing at a hustings event in Downpatrick on Thursday evening, Mr Wells can be seen in a video recording, where he appears to say: "All the evidence throughout the world says the best way to raise children is in a loving, stable, married relationship...
"You don't bring a child up in a homosexual relationship. A child is far more likely to be abused and neglected."
His comments were met with uproar from those in attendance. He later described his remarks as an "error", and that they did not represent his views or those of his political party, the DUP.
The Minister has since been criticised by a number of Northern Ireland's political parties. Colum Eastwood, SDLP MLA, and Alliance North Down MLA, Stephen Farry, called for him to retract his comments. While Chris Hazzard, from Sinn Féin, has called for Minister Wells to step down from his post.
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In a statement, the South Down MLA said: "I was shocked and dismayed at the Health Minister's comments during last night's event. His remarks linking child abuse with gay relationships were an attack on the whole LGBT community and he should retract them immediately and apologise unreservedly.
"His disgraceful comments clearly call into question Mr Wells' responsibility and ability to run a health service for all. Unfortunately this is only the latest in a long line of attacks on the LGBT community by the DUP.
"Some members of his party have already moved to distance themselves from his comments. I am calling on his party leader Peter Robinson to make it clear where he stands on Mr Wells' views."
On Friday, a statement was released by Northern Ireland's First Minister and DUP leader Peter Robinson which said that the party would stand by Mr Wells.
He added that his colleague had "accepted the remarks were offensive and that is why he has apologised".
A follow-up statement from Wells added that he was "saddened that some people were trying to misrepresent my comments".
He said: "The last few weeks have been extremely difficult for me personally. I had just come from a hospital visit and my focus was not on the debate.
"I have listened to a recording of the relevant part of the debate. I accept that one line of what I said caused offence and deep concern amongst members of the audience and beyond."
He went on to say that he then twice clarified the comments made during the event, to which was confirmed by some of the media at the event.
"Partial clips, spin and selective reporting regrettably miss this," he said. "The neglect or abuse of children is awful and happens in unstable relationships whether they are heterosexual or homosexual.
"I make no distinction between anyone who neglects or abuses a child regardless of their sexual orientation. I trust people will accept my explanation and my apology."
(JP/MH)
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