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Former Health Minister Jim Wells has issued legal proceedings against three parties in Northern Ireland who he claims were to blame for the destruction of his 41 year career.

The 59-year-old MLA resigned from the top health job in 2015 in response to claims made against him over a statement about child rearing days before last year’s General Election.

He told Belfast Live: “After four decades of work and dedication to the public I basically landed on the scrap heap because I felt I had to resign. I was abused and accused and it was all nonsense but for the sake of the DUP, I had to go, I had to sacrifice myself.

“Suddenly my career was over just as I was getting to where I really wanted to be and more importantly, where I thought I could do my best work for Northern Ireland.

“I had a fabulous team of staff in the health department and we were working hard together and doing well when disaster struck.

“It was April 23, 2015 and the election was on May 5 and all it took to ruin a 41 year career was a 17 second recording and some lies.

“I had been visiting my wife in hospital who was gravely ill and against my better judgement, I went to the hustings for a very short period of time with the intention of going straight back to her.

“I wish now I had never left her at all, then none of this would have happened and that remains my bitterest regret.

“The one thing that gets me through is the fact that despite the awful prognosis at the time, Grace’s health improved and she continues to do well.”

Three parties are accused of defamation following the recording of remarks made by Mr Wells at the public event in Downpatrick.

Mr Wells says a fourth party will be hearing from his solicitors presently.

Earlier this week a Dungannon woman pleaded guilty to wasting police time by making false statements about the DUP MLA.

Dorothy Gardner, 48, had alleged Mr Wells made homophobic statements during an election hustings meeting in Downpatrick in April 2015.

Gardner made a formal complaint to police after the hustings claiming she had been at the event and heard the remarks.

But a police investigation later cleared Mr Wells and concluded she had not been present at the event.

The South Down MLA said: “I am delighted that this woman has pleaded guilty to wasting police time but the fact remains that my reputation and political career were destroyed by a series of false reports of what I said at that hustings meeting.

“I was forced to resign as health minister and suffered months of abuse from strangers on-line.

“Now I wait to hear the sentence this woman is given by the court and in the meantime I am pursuing civil action against others who perpetuated the lie.

“The full transcript and recording of my speech and the notes of the five experienced and respected reporters who covered the event, proved that I never made the alleged remarks.

“I cannot just sit back and hear there was no case to answer. I need to prove for my own sake and peace of mind, that I did no wrong and indeed I had wrong done against me.

“There was a tape that was edited and fortunately I was given a full version of the recording. The conclusion was damning and proved my innocence.

“I’m relieved by Monday’s guilty plea by Dorothy Gardner because it represents the first step towards my total vindication.

“But now it’s time for the other people who tried to destroy my reputation to publicly admit what they did and apologise for the damage and injury they have caused me for more than a year.”