David Davies has said that he is to resign from the equal opportunities committee in the Welsh assembly.

The Conservative AM for Monmouth walked out of a meeting earlier this month, after accusations from social justice minister Edwina Hart that his views on gay adoption and school material on homosexuality were "absolutely offensive".

Committee chairman and Labour AM for Neath Gwenda Thomas said she would have adjourned the meeting had his behaviour continued.

However speaking on Wednesday, Davies defended his actions.

"The issue was that I put questions to Stonewall Cymru and it was the reaction of other members I objected to, especially the minister who accused me of having offensive and unacceptable views," he told BBC Wales.

"I find that offensive and unacceptable because I really have to have the freedom to speak out.

"There are certain issues I've raised which are clearly taboo subjects on this committee and in public life.  It's impossible to get over certain points of view in the committee."

"The cult of political correctness means that if you do speak out and ask embarrassing questions, then you are going to find yourself being accused of racism, sexism, homophobia or some other form of 'ism' by everyone else," he added.

Davies, who has been selected as the Conservative parliamentary candidate for Monmouth, argued that resignation from the committee "appears to be my only option".

"I'd rather see what the committee is up to and comment on that," he said.

"I've always been a minority in that committee and perhaps the committee charged with looking at minorities should be looking after the one minority view on it."

Mark Isherwood has been nominated as the replacement committee member.