Agriculture Minister Reveals He Is Gay

Pursued by a tabloid newspaper and an ex-lover, Britain’s agriculture minister disclosed that he is gay--the third Cabinet member recently to endure controversy over his sexual orientation. Agriculture Minister Nicholas Brown said he made the disclosure because an ex-lover offered to sell the story of their relationship to a tabloid. Prime Minister Tony Blair swiftly rallied to Brown. Welsh Secretary Ron Davies resigned last month after being picked up and robbed in an area of London known for gay cruising. Another controversy arose after a columnist for the Times of London said on TV that Trade Secretary Peter Mandelson is gay. The BBC later apologized to Mandelson. Culture Minister Chris Smith is openly gay.