Police body slams Paisley homosexuality comments

The Northern Ireland Policing board has disassociated itself comments on homosexuality made by Mr Ian Paisley jnr of the Democratic…

The Northern Ireland Policing board has disassociated itself comments on homosexuality made by Mr Ian Paisley jnr of the Democratic Unionist Party earlier this week.

The board, of which Mr Paisley is a member, said in a statement the comments made by Mr Paisley in the Daily Mirror and on Talkback on Monday are "incompatible with the policies and practices of the Northern Ireland Policing Board."

"The Board therefore dissociates itself from these homophobic comments, and censures him on that matter," the statement added.

Mr Paisley described homosexual relationships as "immoral, offensive and obnoxious" after after Ulster Unionist leader Mr David Trimble's senior adviser, Dr Steven King, married his gay partner four weeks ago in Canada.

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Mr Paisley said it was "a wee bit perverse" that while Ulster Unionist MPs opposed the Civil Partnership Bill, which will allow such partnerships, that Mr Trimble's main adviser was getting married.

"I find those sorts of relationships immoral, offensive and obnoxious, and I think the vast majority of the people of Northern Ireland feel the same, and have expressed the view that they feel that way," said Mr Paisley.

Patrick  Logue

Patrick Logue

Patrick Logue is Digital Editor of The Irish Times