imported_GayGroups
04-15-2004, 08:35 AM
Conservative AM David Davies has said he is resigning from the Welsh assembly's equal opportunities committee.
The Monmouth AM walked out of a committee meeting earlier this month, saying it was "a total waste of time".
He had been criticised by other AMs over his questioning of gay rights organisation Stonewall Cymru.
Mr Davies spoke out against gay adoption and school material on homosexuality.
Mr Davies - selected by the Conservatives to fight the Parliamentary seat of Monmouth at the next General Election - told BBC Wales that resignation from the committee "appears to be my only option".
He added: "The issue was that I put questions to Stonewall Cymru and it was the reaction of other members I objected to, especially the minister (Social Justice Minister Edwina Hart) who accused me of having offensive and unacceptable views.
'Taboo subjects'
"I find that offensive and unacceptable because I really have to have the freedom to speak out.
"There have been certain issues I've raised which are clearly taboo subjects on this committee and in public life.
"It's impossible to get over certain points of view in the committee."
For David to say he's been stifled, I absolutely reject
Gwenda Thomas AM
Mr Davies added that that he felt he had the right to air his views in the committee.
He said: "The cult of political correctness means that if you do speak out and ask embarrassing questions, then you are going to find yourself being accused of racism, sexism, homophobia or some other form of 'ism' by everyone else.
Mr Davies told BBC Wales that resignation from the committee "appears to be my only option".
"I'd rather see what the committee is up to and comment on that.
"I've always been a minority in that committee and perhaps the committee charged with looking at minorities should be looking after the one minority view on it."
At the 1 April meeting, Mr Davies spoke out against gay adoption and school material on homosexuality, before walking out after Social Justice Minister Edwina Hart said Mr Davies' comments were "absolutely offensive."
Committee chair, Gwenda Thomas, said at the time she would have adjourned the meeting if Mr Davies' behaviour had continued.
She told BBC Wales on Wednesday: "Debate is always welcome on the committee.
"There's a question about presentation and courtesy to other members of the committee.
"For David to say he's been stifled, I absolutely reject."
Following Mr Davies' resignation, Mark Isherwood has been announced as Mr Davies' Conservative replacement on the committee.
The Monmouth AM walked out of a committee meeting earlier this month, saying it was "a total waste of time".
He had been criticised by other AMs over his questioning of gay rights organisation Stonewall Cymru.
Mr Davies spoke out against gay adoption and school material on homosexuality.
Mr Davies - selected by the Conservatives to fight the Parliamentary seat of Monmouth at the next General Election - told BBC Wales that resignation from the committee "appears to be my only option".
He added: "The issue was that I put questions to Stonewall Cymru and it was the reaction of other members I objected to, especially the minister (Social Justice Minister Edwina Hart) who accused me of having offensive and unacceptable views.
'Taboo subjects'
"I find that offensive and unacceptable because I really have to have the freedom to speak out.
"There have been certain issues I've raised which are clearly taboo subjects on this committee and in public life.
"It's impossible to get over certain points of view in the committee."
For David to say he's been stifled, I absolutely reject
Gwenda Thomas AM
Mr Davies added that that he felt he had the right to air his views in the committee.
He said: "The cult of political correctness means that if you do speak out and ask embarrassing questions, then you are going to find yourself being accused of racism, sexism, homophobia or some other form of 'ism' by everyone else.
Mr Davies told BBC Wales that resignation from the committee "appears to be my only option".
"I'd rather see what the committee is up to and comment on that.
"I've always been a minority in that committee and perhaps the committee charged with looking at minorities should be looking after the one minority view on it."
At the 1 April meeting, Mr Davies spoke out against gay adoption and school material on homosexuality, before walking out after Social Justice Minister Edwina Hart said Mr Davies' comments were "absolutely offensive."
Committee chair, Gwenda Thomas, said at the time she would have adjourned the meeting if Mr Davies' behaviour had continued.
She told BBC Wales on Wednesday: "Debate is always welcome on the committee.
"There's a question about presentation and courtesy to other members of the committee.
"For David to say he's been stifled, I absolutely reject."
Following Mr Davies' resignation, Mark Isherwood has been announced as Mr Davies' Conservative replacement on the committee.