Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley has been criticised for comparing the extension of same-sex marriage to Northern Ireland to the roll-out of superfast broadband.

Ms Bradley made the remarks in an interview broadcast by radio station U105.

In a throwback to her previous Cabinet role as Culture Secretary, she said: “It will be a matter for the elected politicians in Northern Ireland to make a decision about equal marriage. That’s for them to decide, it’s not for me to impose, in the same way it’s not for me to impose the way that super-fast broadband is rolled out across the country.

“In my own county of Staffordshire, its rolled out by the county council. In Northern Ireland it needs to be rolled out by the Executive. That’s why we need an Executive in place.”

The comparison has been criticised by Amnesty International and Northern Ireland-based LGBT charity The Rainbow Project.

Patrick Corrigan, Northern Ireland programme director at Amnesty International, said: “The parallel is, frankly, an utter insult to NI same-sex couples denied the right to equal treatment under the law.”

John O’Doherty, director at The Rainbow Project, said: “I find today’s comments by the Secretary of State absolutely insulting to same-sex couples across Northern Ireland currently denied equal treatment under the law. The denial of rights to UK and Irish citizens living in Northern Ireland should not be minimised and it is particularly galling to hear these comments from an MP who purports to support same-sex marriage and equality for LGBT people.

“Despite numerous requests, the previous Secretary of State James Brokenshire failed to meet the Love Equality coalition. We once again urge the Secretary of State to meet with representatives of the campaign so that she can fully understand the hurt, anger and frustration felt by LGBT people, currently treated as second class citizens within Northern Ireland by the UK Government.”