Northern Ireland’s First Minister has claimed a row over her use of peace process powers to block equal marriage is a “storm in a teacup”.

All progress on same-sex marriage continues to be blocked in Northern Ireland, as the ultra-conservative Democratic Unionist Party employs Petitions of Concern – a power designed to ensure cross-community power sharing – to veto marriage bills despite a Parliamentary majority in favour.

The DUP ran on a platform of ‘defending marriage’ in Assembly elections earlier this year, and First Minister Arlene Foster today reaffirmed plans to continue employing powers to block any future marriage legislation.

She said: “Why would we, when we feel so strongly about the definition of marriage and the redefining of it, why would we give away that tool [Petitions of Concern]?”

Speaking to the BBC today, she justified her position by claiming gay people don’t want to get married anyway.

She said:”If people can’t see see the nuance between our defending of marriage and gay rights then, I’m sorry, they really need to look at themselves.

“This suggestion that every single person who’s a homosexual wants to change the definition of marriage is actually wrong.

“I know plenty of people in that community who don’t want to see marriage redefined and are quite content to live in partnership.

“It’s all become a bit of a storm in a teacup.”

Earlier today Foster claimed that she was still blocking same-sex marriage due to “abuse” from LGBT activists.

Foster said: “Some of the abuse that is directed at me and colleagues online is very, very vicious.

“And I think if activists want to have a conversation about where they are coming from, do they seriously think they are going to influence me by sending me abuse?

“They are not going to influence me by sending me abuse – in fact, they are going to send me in the opposite direction and people need to reflect on that.”

The DUP is one of the only remaining political parties in the UK with anti-LGBT policies in a position of power.

PinkNews made an honest DUP Party Political Broadcast earlier this year:

