DUP councillors’ backing for Wells

DUP councillors’ backing for Wells

28 October 2015

COLLEAGUES of beleaguered DUP Assemblyman Jim Wells have publicly spoken in his support for the first time since he lost his job as Health Minister in a furore over gay marriage remarks.

Breaking a six month silence about Mr Wells, who was questioned by police amid over comments made about same sex marriage at a hustings event hosted by the Down Recorder in Downpatrick, local DUP councillors have said they are delighted he has now been vindicated by the PSNI and Public Prosecution Service (PPS).

Their support comes after the the PPS confirmed it would not press charges against Mr Wells after analysing a verbatim tran of his remarks, which it concluded showed he had not broken the law.

Rowallane councillor William Walker, who credited Mr Wells with helping to kick-start his career within the DUP, said he was glad his colleague had been been exonerated.

“I just hope that Jim stays in politics and will fight the South Down seat at next year’s Assembly elections,” he said.

“When I entered politics the party was a bit dubious about taking me on, but Jim persuaded them to because of my community work.

“There are a lot of people who tried to bring him down and they have not succeeded. I am really glad this true friend of mine has triumphed.”

Mr Walker’s support was echoed by Ballynahinch DUP councillor Garth Craig who has also welcomed the PPS’s decision to the case against Mr Wells.

“I am glad that Jim has been vindicated over the issue arising out of the hustings event,” he said.

“ I fully support Jim and wish him a long political career.  He has a lot to offer in Northern Ireland politics.”

Councillor Glyn Hanna, meanwhile, said he thought it was time those who wrongly criticised Mr Wells admitted they were wrong.

“These people do not have the guts to apologise and admit they were wrong,” he said.

“These premature and unfair attacks offended me as I was at the hustings event that night, and I knew Jim was innocent, but the damage to Jim’s health, family and career were far reaching and cost Jim his job as Minister of Health. 

“Also Jim’s wife Grace was seriously ill at the time, and no mercy was shown by the press or media. To my knowledge, only one journalist from the Down Recorder who had a verbatim account of the hustings event in Downpatrick, stood by the principles of honesty and truth.

“The media has the power to make or destroy people, they must take responsibility when they make mistakes. I have supported Jim as a friend and political colleague and hope this is the end of a distasteful saga in his life.”

Mr Wells yesterday welcomed his local colleagues support following what he described as a “lonely six months.”

“I am heartened to see this public support from local councillors who have stood by me even in my darkest hours when many other people would not speak to me,” he said.

“Things went very quiet since April and I suppose people were worried there would be protests if they associated with me, but now that the truth is coming out and I hope there will be others keen to speak to me again.”

Despite the PPS confirming it will not press charges against Mr Wells, he said he still had a battle ahead to fully clear his name.

He said he had taken a two week break from the DUP to gather evidence against media outlets he believes defamed him immediately after the April hustings. He plans to return to the party next week.