The former Health Minister Jim Wellsxa0MLAxa0has voluntarily attended Downpatrick PSNI Station on Wednesday morning by pre-arranged appointment in relation to numerous complaints received from members of the public regarding an incident on the 23 April earlier this year in Downpatrick.
Jim Wells MLA responds to the question on gay marriage being passed in law in Northern Ireland during a hustings event in April.[/caption]A police spokesman said that Mr Wells contacted local police to make arrangements to voluntarily attend and will continue to assist police with inquiries in relation to this matter. At this time police are still examining the comments to establish if they constitute a criminal offence.
He was not interviewed with regard to a related incident which occurred in Rathfriland on 25 April when he is alledged to have commented on the lifestyle of a lesbian couple, as there were no matters that warranted a Police investigation. xa0A report regarding this matter will be forwarded separately to the Public Prosecution Service in due course.
Following the Rathfriland incident two days after his comments in Downpatrick on LGBT issues, Mr Wells was under pressure to step down as Health Minister and within days did so.
“Mr Wells speaking at a hustings event in the St Patrick Centre in Downpatrick responded to a question from the floor and said: “You don’t bring a child up in a homosexual relationship. That a child is far more likely to be abused and neglected…”. Mr Wells immediately retracted the statement and apologised to the audience, however there was a very significant and quick reaction from the audience.
South Down MLA Jim Wells, a senior DUP politician, has tried to keep out of the political limelight since these incidents but fears that his political future may be severely damaged by his comments.
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