Mamya - // Should he have refused to answer the direct question and been castigated for that instead? //
How many times do you see a politician answer a direct question with a direct answer!
MR RM could have done, as he did with the same-sex marriage question, he could have ducked behind his faith - he chose not to do so, and the accent here is on his choice. He was not badgered, or compelled in any way to answer - he chose to do so.
// I don't really require an answer but am ever the one to try and soothe ruffled feathers. //
No ruffled feathers here, I assure you.