Northern Executive junior minister Ian Paisley jnr has stood by his recent remarks on homosexuals and complained that the criticism of his comments illustrates an intolerance about his right to the freedom of expression, writes Gerry Moriarty, Northern Editor
Politicians and gay rights groups criticised Mr Paisley for his comments in the current edition of Hot Press, where he said he was "pretty repulsed" by homosexuality. "I think it is wrong. I think that those people harm themselves and - without care about it - harm society . . . I mean, I hate what they do," he told the magazine.
Mr Paisley has expressed similar views previously, but his critics say the context for these remarks is different as he is now a Minister in the Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister, which has an equality legislation brief that ensures full rights for gays and lesbians.
That equality responsibility was reinforced by a short statement from the office yesterday, which said it was "totally committed to promoting equality and human rights for all its citizens".
A spokesman said all ministers in the office - First Minister the Rev Ian Paisley, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness and junior ministers Mr Paisley and Sinn Féin's Gerry Kelly - subscribed to that commitment.
The SDLP equality spokeswoman, Dolores Kelly, said the statement did not address any of the issues raised by the interview.
Ms Kelly, who has tabled an Assembly motion of censure against Mr Paisley, said: "The Assembly has got to set down some clear markers for Ian Paisley jnr on the question of equality for gays and lesbians, since the Office of First Minister and Deputy First Minister has clearly failed to do so." She added that in light of Mr McGuinness's strong personal criticism of Mr Paisley comments, the office's response was a "miserable little statement".
In yesterday's Belfast News Letter, Mr Paisley said he was entitled to express his personal opinion. "I do not hate homosexuals. I do not hate anyone. I was not brought up to hate anyone," he said. "I was asked for my view. I do not think my answer was outrageous or offensive. If you look in the Oxford English Dictionary for the definition of repulsion, it is disgust. That is my personal opinion . . . and I was honest."
He added: "Political correctness has gone mad and those people who preach tolerance have unleashed a wave of intolerance when it comes to me saying something which they do not like."