Welsh Secretary responds to critics over gay marriage comments

I was asked on the Face to Face programme why I voted against the same sex marriage proposals. I replied that I had done so on the basis that I took the view that marriage is an institution that has developed over the centuries so as to provide a safe and warm environment for the upbringing ofchildren.

I made the point of stressing that I was fully supportive of committed same sex relationships. I also strongly approve of civil partnerships.

I did not say in the interview that same sex partners should not adopt children and that is not my view.

I simply sought to point out that, since same sex partners could not biologically procreate children, the institution of marriage was one that, in my opinion, should be reserved to opposite sex partners.