More than 17,000 people have added their name to an online petition calling for a referendum on gay marriage after Martin McGuinness proposed a referendum to settle the vexed issue of same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland.

Earlier this week, a proposal in the Northern Ireland Assembly to have gay marriage legalised in Northern Ireland was rejected. Monday marked the fourth time the divisive issue has been defeated at the Stormont Assembly and came hours after under-pressure DUP health minister Jim Wells resigned amid controversy over remarks about same sex relationships. Read More