4,000 expected to take part in Belfast’s Gay Pride parade

Belfast's annual Gay Pride parade is taking place later today amid ongoing controversy over anti-gay remarks by DUP MP Iris Robinson.

The Strangford MP and wife of First Minister Peter Robinson has been widely condemned in recent weeks after calling homosexuality an "abomination" and claiming gay people could be "turned around" through counselling.

She has also said homosexuality is worse than the sexual abuse of children, though she later claimed the comment had been "misrepresented".

Today's Gay Pride march was approved by the Parades Commission in the face of objections from religious groups.

Two protests are planned along the route, including a prayer meeting organised by Ian Paisley's Free Presbyterian Church.

Despite this, around 4,000 people are expected to take part, including some openly gay police officers and representatives of all the main political parties, with the exception of the DUP.