DUP's Jim Wells resigns as Health Minister following attack on LGBT couples

The DUP Health Minister Jim Wells has resigned from his ministerial post amid controversy over comments he made linking same-sex couples to child abuse.

In a statement, Wells said he was resigning to spend more time with his wife who is seriously ill in hospital:

"I have been focused on helping my wife during her fight for life," he said.

While Wells later apologised for comments he made at an election hustings linking same-sex couples to child abuse, his resignation came after it emerged that the PSNI are investigating three complaints against the South Down MLA over comments he is alleged to have made to a lesbian couple while canvassing for election in Rathfriland.

The daughter of one of the women told the BBC that her mother was extremely upset by comments made by Jim Wells when he called to her home in which he criticised her and her partner's lifestyle.

She says the DUP Minister returned to the house on two occasions to apologise to her mother, whom she says is a long-time DUP voter, but the couple would not accept the apology.

Welcoming his resignation, Sinn Féin's Maeve McLaughlin MLA says the public wants a Health Minister who will leave their religious beliefs at the door and run the health service for all.

Maeve McLaughlin said she recognises that Wells has been under increased pressure as a result of his wife's serious illness, but said his decision to step down was the correct one:

"His position as Health Minister was clearly untenable after his attack on the LGBT community which was completely unacceptable from someone holding the position of Health Minister. Outdated and discriminatory practices are not acceptable.

"The DUP should end its opposition immediately to marriage equality, blood donations from gay men and to adoption by gay couples."