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16 February 2013 Last updated at 09:50 ET

The Welsh secretary has sought to clarify his views on gay marriage after claiming same-sex couples could not provide a “warm and safe environment” in which to raise children.

On ITV Wales’ Face to Face programme, David Jones said this was why he had voted against the government’s legislation for same-sex marriage.

He has insisted he is not opposed to gay couples raising children.

But the Labour Party has demanded a public apology.

The Conservative MP has said he is not homophobic and has “people in my life who are important to me who are gay”.

“I did not say in the interview that same-sex partners should not adopt children and that is not my view,” said the MP, who had been explaining his decision to vote against the legalisation of gay marriage.

I made the point of stressing that I was fully supportive of committed same-sex relationships

“I simply sought to point out that, since same-sex partners could not biologically procreate children, the institution of marriage was one that, in my opinion, should be reserved to opposite sex partners.”

“I made the point of stressing that I was fully supportive of committed same-sex relationships. I also strongly approve of civil partnerships,” Mr Jones added in a statement.

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Minister clarifies gay marriage view