Anger after MP says gays canbe 'turned'

DUP ASSEMBLY member Iris Robinson has been criticised for telling a live radio programme that homosexuals could be "turned around…

DUP ASSEMBLY member Iris Robinson has been criticised for telling a live radio programme that homosexuals could be "turned around" with psychiatric help.

Mrs Robinson is also an MP and chairs the Stormont health committee. Her husband was appointed First Minister on Thursday.

She told BBC Radio Ulster she condemned attacks on gay people, but defended her right to her religious beliefs and to her view that homosexual activity was an abomination. She believed that homosexuals could become heterosexual with professional counselling.

"I have a very lovely psychiatrist who works with me in my offices and his Christian background is that he tries to help homosexuals - trying to turn away from what they are engaged in," she said.

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"I'm happy to put any homosexual in touch with this gentleman and I have met people who have turned around and become heterosexuals."

However, this prompted an angry response from gay rights activists, health professionals and from Sinn Féin. David McCartney from the Rainbow Project criticised selective quotation from the Bible: "Politicians tend to choose from a passage called Leviticus," he said. "But they wouldn't turn round and tell their constituents they believe in stonings for extramarital affairs."

Minister for Education Caitriona Ruane was also critical: "There are equality laws in the North of Ireland. I think it is really important that politicians play a leadership role and not say anything that could enflame the situation."