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Jim Wells' Excuse For Homophobic Remarks: Does It Cut It?

The Northern Irish Health Minister has apologised for saying children of gay parents are more likely to be abused.

Jim Wells on camera

A Northern Irish politician has apologised for saying children of gay parents are more likely to be abused of neglected, saying his wife’s stroke earlier in the week had caused him to lose focus.

Jim Wells, Northern Ireland's Health Minister, was participating in an election event on Wednesday when he told an audience in Downpatrick: "The facts show that a child is far more likely to be abused or neglected if brought up in a homosexual relationship.”

In a statement this morning, the Democratic Unionist Party minister said he had just come from the hospital and “my focus was not on the debate”.

A video of the comments show the audience reacting with outrage when he makes the comment, but Mr Wells repeats his assertion over their shouts.

"I regret having wrongly made that remark about abuse and I'm sorry those words were uttered,” Mr Wells said.

"Within seconds of realising this error, I asked the chairman to let me back in and twice corrected my remarks before the debate moved on.

"The neglect or abuse of children is awful and happens in unstable relationships whether they are heterosexual or homosexual."

Mr Wells made the comment in the context of a debate on the redefinition of marriage. Mr Wells has said he is not in favour of legalizing gay marriage.

Users on social media have not taken kindly to the explanation.

The Ulster Unionist Party branded the remarks "outrageous" and the Alliance Party asked him to retract the statement. Sinn Fein has called on the minister to resign.

Police are now investigating the remarks after receiving a complaint from a member of the audience, while the SDLP has filed a motion of no confidence against Mr Wells, calling for his removal from office.