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The UUP and Sinn Fein are accusing the health minister of prejudice over his decision to maintain a lifetime ban on gay men donating blood.

Edwin Poots of the DUP, told the assembly on Wednesday that the law in Northern Ireland should not change.

This will put NI out of step with the rest of the UK where a ban following the 1980s Aids threat has been eased.

Under the UK’s new rules, men whose last sexual contact with another man was over a year ago, can donate.

This comes after advice from a Government Advisory Committee.

Mr Poots had defended his decision.

He said “all other European Union countries” would continue to operate a lifetime ban along with the US and Canada.

“Safety must be my primary concern and I want to ensure public confidence in our blood supply,” he said.

(Source: ohyeahdevelopmentalbiology)