Mon 27 Feb 2017 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
Gay National list MP Paul Foster-Bell has announced he will stand down from Parliament at the end of the current parliamentary term and not contest the Wellington Central seat. Paul Foster-Bell MP marches in the Auckland Pride Parade on Saturday night. Foster-Bell was open about his homosexuality to friends, family and colleagues but only came out publicly late last year to object to Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki's linking of the Christchurch earthquakes with growing acceptance of homosexuality in society. “Today I informed local National Party members that I am withdrawing my name from consideration for selection in Wellington Central, and that I will not seek a place on National’s list for the 2017 General Election," he says in a statement released yesterday. Foster-Bell appeared with the Prime Minister at the Big Gay Out two weeks ago and on Saturday night was featured amongst National MPs and supporters in the Auckland Pride Parade. At the BGO he reaffirmed to GayNZ.com Daily News his commitment to working to ensure currently under-funded HIV prevention work and research are better funded. In the announcement he gives no reason for his decision to depart Parliament.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 27th February 2017 - 10:43pm