Edwin Poots says gay blood ban 'matter for Jeremy Hunt' 14 October 2013 Last updated at 14:04 Edwin Poots said the decision now lies with UK Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt Health Minister Edwin Poots has said what happens now to the lifetime ban on gay men giving blood in Northern Ireland is a matter for Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt. On Friday, a judge ruled Mr Poots did not have the power to maintain the ban. The ban was put in place during the 1980s and was lifted in England, Scotland and Wales in November 2011. "It is a matter for the department of health in England to decide what it wants to do next," Mr Poots said. The judge believes it is a decision for Jeremy Hunt. Jeremy Hunt didn't believe it was, but obviously the judge is contradicting the department of health in England and it's a matter for the department of health to take whatever action it believes it should. In his judgment, the judge said that the decision to continue the lifetime ban was "irrational." He also said Mr Poots had breached the ministerial code by failing to take the issue before the Stormont Executive.