Police launch investigation into Wells' gay marriage comments

Police launch investigation into Wells' gay marriage comments

24 April 2015

THE PSNI is investigating a complaint against Jim Wells following his gay marriage remarks in a Downpatrick hustings event last night.

This morning police officers visited the St Patrick Centre, the venue for the event after a member of the public made a formal complaint following Mr Wells’ claims that children of gay or lesbian couples were more at risk of suffering abuse or neglect.

A PSNI spokesman said this morning: “Police have received a complaint and officers are currently making enquiries.”

Mr Wells is standing for the DUP in South Down and all the candidates attended the hustings event to answer a serious of questions from the public.

Mr Wells’ claims sparked a major social media storm and while he has formally apologised, there is no sign of the controversy dying down.

The Health Minister made his remarks during a hustings event hosted by the Down Recorder in the St. Patrick Centre.

Answering a question on whether it was time for Northern Ireland to have equal marriage he said:

“All the evidence throughout the world shows that the best way to raise children is in a loving, stable, married relationship, the facts show that.

“The facts show that certainly you don’t bring up a child in a homosexual relationship. That a child is far more likely to be abused or neglected... I say again, I say again, a child is far more likely to be abused in a non stable marriage situation, gay or straight.”

Shortly afterwards he re-entered the debate to clarify his remarks saying: “A child is far more likely to be abused or neglected in a non stable marriage situation, gay or straight.”

This morning Mr Wells apologised for his remarks saying the last few weeks have been particularly difficult for him with his wife seriously ill in hospital.

"I had just come from a hospital visit and my focus was not on the debate," he said. "Indeed, during the event I received several messages from the hospital.

"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.

"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.