DUP member's wife calls homosexuality an 'abomination'

An independent member of one of the North's District Policing Boards has made a formal police complaint over what he says are anti-gay comments by DUP MP Iris Robinson.

Mrs Robinson, a Born Again Christian and wife of first minister Peter Robinson, told a radio programme last week that homosexuality was an abomination.

She also offered to refer anyone troubled about gay feelings to a Christian psychiatrist who, she said, could turn gay people into heterosexuals.

She said she knew personally of gay men who had gone on, after help, to marry and have children.

John O'Doherty, a DPP member in south Belfast and co-chair of the police lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender group, has described the remarks as "amazing".

He says they could lead to homophobic attacks or even suicidal feelings among gay people.