DUP man abstains on civil partnership vote

Cllr Ian Stevenson (pictured) said he did not back the issue because he is against “same sex” civil partnerships.

Lissanoure Castle near Loughgiel has been approved as a venue for civil marriages/partnerships under the provisions of the Marriage NI Order 2003 for a period of three years.

The move was agreed by Ballymoney Council after a proposal by Sinn Fein councillor Anita Cavlan was seconded by Alderman Harry Connolly (SDLP).

But Councillor Stevenson and his party colleague, Cllr Evelyne Robinson, both asked to be recorded as abstaining.

Cllr Stevenson told the Times: “This abstention is a continuation of what my position has been all along. When the legislation first came out on civil partnerships I abstained because it opened the door for same sex partnerships and it would be very hypocritical if I did not abstain whenever these approvals for venues for civil partnerships come along.”