Police interview former NI Health Minister over anti-gay comments
DUP politician Jim Wells has attended a police interview over homophobic comments he made at an election event.
The interview follows “numerous complaints” received from the public over comments Wells made at a hustings event in Downpatrick in April.
Rallying against same-sex marriage and adoption, he said: “The facts show that certainly you don’t bring a child up in a homosexual relationship… that a child is far more likely to be abused or neglected.”
Following the outrage, the infamously homophobic Mr Wells initially refused to apologise for his comments, insisting they were “misunderstood” – but soon released a statement attempting to take them back.
He said at the time: “I accept that one line of what I said caused offence and deep concern amongst members of the audience and beyond.
“I regret having wrongly made that remark about abuse and I’m sorry those words were uttered. The comment did not reflect my view nor that of my party.”
It is understood Mr Wells was not interviewed with regard to a related incident, which occurred two days later, as it did not warrant a police investigation.
It was alleged that Mr Wells, who was doing door-to-door canvassing, called at a lesbian couple’s house, and during a conversation was critical of their lifestyle, reports The Belfast Telegraph.
The daughter of one of the women said her mother was upset. Mr Wells later went back to the house twice saying he wanted to apologise.
These are only the latest in a string of actively homophobic comments from the shamed ex Health Minister, who has previously claimed that he finds Pride “repugnant” and refused to take part in gay rights debates.
After PinkNews reported on his poor gay rights following his appointment, Mr Wells blocked PinkNews and a number of PinkNews reporters on Twitter.
