Mr Ian Paisley jnr has sparked a predictable storm by declaring that he is "pretty repulsed" by gay men and women and hates "what they do". In a Hot Press magazine interview Mr Paisley is quoted as saying: "I think it is wrong. I think those people harm themselves and, without caring about it, harm society. . . These are people in a country which previously had a very strong family value and moral fibre - and that is slowly but surely being eradicated. I'm not saying that is all the fault of people who've a gay and lesbian outlook, but all of that adds to the problems society goes through."
As junior minister in the joint Office of First and Deputy First Minister at Stormont, Mr Paisley has drawn fire from Sinn Féin and the Ulster Unionists and now faces the prospect of an Assembly debate on an SDLP censure motion. To date, no one has declared him unfit for office or called for his resignation.
However, Mr Paisley should not misinterpret the goodwill that exists for the fledgling administration in Belfast. Nor should he think that he can ride this storm while pandering to homophobia and shoring up a part of the DUP constituency which may be discomfited by the compromises made to secure the restoration of power-sharing devolution.
The younger Paisley needs to reflect - and to retract. He must also demonstrate his fitness for office by understanding that his offensive and dangerous pronouncements are in no way mitigated by his assertion that he does not hate gay men and lesbians themselves. Politicians need to be mindful how their words may be received and translated on the street corner. This is especially so in a society that has already paid a high price for bigotry and intolerance and where homophobia easily learned with other prejudices can still contribute to young lives being ruined and sometimes tragically lost.
Mr Paisley is entitled to his personal prejudices and beliefs. However he now bears responsibility as a member of a ministry specifically charged with upholding equality and the rights of all minorities. Immediately after assuming office, the First and Deputy First Ministers, the Rev Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness, hosted a reception for representatives of minority communities. Yesterday, in a statement, they reaffirmed their commitment to the equality of all citizens.
Mr Paisley Jnr must be the first to be made to do so by recognising that his remarks simply would not be acceptable from any minister anywhere else in these islands. As UUP Assembly Member Danny Kennedy says: "The junior minister should rectify the situation and in future ensure that he speaks in a manner which does not discredit his office, the devolved institutions or Northern Ireland."