Wells to stand again for Assembly

SOUTH Down DUP MLA has announced he will contest the Assembly election in May.

The veteran politician, who resigned as Health Minister last year over controversial remarks he made on gay marriage at a Down Recorder-organised hustings event in Downpatrick.

There has been considerable debate over whether Mr Wells would run again after the controversy and also because his wife is seriously ill after suffering two strokes last year.

However, early yesterday morning Mr Wells announced he would be seeking the DUP nomination once again.

“I have had the privilege of representing South Down at Stormont for 21 years and have also served as a councillor for 17 years,” he said.

“I was greatly encouraged to stand again by the unanimous support I received from the DUP's South Down Association and the many messages from right across the constituency urging me to put the name forward.

“The final decision on who stands for the Assembly election in South Down rests with the DUP Party Officers. I can confirm that they are presently considering my application to stand for the Party.”

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