The National Trust has defended its support for the LGBT community in the aftermath of Jim Wells's decision to resign his membership of the conservation charity.
The former DUP health minister, who worked for the trust for almost a decade up until 1998, announced on Saturday via Twitter that he would no longer support the organisation because it backed gay rights.
In a subsequent statement Mr Wells, who quit as health minister in 2015 after making controversial remarks about same sex couples, said he had been "seriously considering" leaving money to the trust but had changed his mind.
The South Down MLA said there were three reasons for his decision – an article about gay rights in the spring issue of the National Trust's magazine; recent events in England where the charity's volunteers were required to display rainbow-coloured badges; and "the apparent official representation of the trust at yesterday's gay Pride parade".
"The National Trust is an organisation which does excellent work conserving historic houses, our scenic coastline and beautiful gardens," Mr Wells said.
"It would be very wise to keep out of controversial social issues which have little, if anything, to do with its main objectives."
But the trust has defended its policy on LGBT rights, insisting it is "an organisation that is for ever, for everyone".
"We are committed to developing and promoting equality of opportunity and inclusion in all that we do regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, paternity and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation," the statement said.
The charity also defended its Prejudice and Pride initiative, a series of events and exhibitions across its properties to mark the 50th anniversary of the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality. It said gay and transgender heritage played an important role in the history of the National Trust and the places in its care.
"We attended Belfast Pride to show the trust’s support and to demonstrate our commitment to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion," the statement said.
"Many trust places were home to, and shaped by, people who challenged conventional notions of gender and sexuality."
The statement said the National Trust was established "for the benefit of the nation" and that the charity believed "our purpose is to make everyone feel welcome at our places, as our founders would have wanted".
The DUP was yesterday making no further comment on Mr Wells's remarks and also stayed silent on a tweet from South Belfast MP Emma Little-Pengelly, which appeared to voice support for those celebrating Pride.
On Saturday the former Stormont special adviser tweeted: "Best wishes to all my friends & constituents celebrating today – all should be able to live a proud life free from hate, abuse or persecution".
However, the DUP was unable to state whether Ms Little-Penngelly's tweet was a reference to Pride.
