Paisley remarks 'not a breach'

Ian Paisley Jnr was criticised for his comments in Hot Press

Ian Paisley Jnr's remarks about gay people in Hot Press magazine do not constitute a breach of the Assembly's members' code of conduct.

This is according to a confidential report by the Assembly Ombudsman, which has been obtained by the BBC.

It followed a complaint by a member of the public concerning the magazine article. As part of his report, Ombudsman Tom Frawley interviewed Mr Paisley about his remarks.

The confidential report was discussed on Wednesday by the Committee on Standards and Privileges.

Mr Paisley, who is a junior minister in the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister, said he was "repulsed" by gay people but that he did not hate homosexuals in the article published in May.