As the Alliance Party moved to back the complaint made to the PSNI by one of its members, the DUP declared itself "saddened" that the wife of the First Minister had been reported to the police "for quoting from the Bible".

Last week Mrs Robinson sparked a national controversy when she criticised homosexual practices as "an abomination" on the BBC's Nolan Show.

She commended the work of her advisor, Northern Ireland psychiatrist Dr Paul Miller, who said in Saturday's News Letter that he helps gay people become heterosexual and has seen them marry and start families. However, the Royal College of Psychiatrists responded that people were born with their sexuality and that there is no evidence it can be changed.

North Down gay rights activist Andrew Muir, who is also a member of the Alliance Party, confirmed that he had lodged a complaint with the police under the Public Order Act 1987, believing that Mrs Robinson's comments had "stirred up hatred or aroused fear".

He added: "I have no issue with homosexuality being discussed but I do object to people suggesting physical disgust with it."

Alliance justice spokesman and North Down MLA Stephen Farry said he backed Mr Muir's complaint to the PSNI.

"Although Andrew made the complaint as a private individual the party would still say this matter does need to be investigated," he said.

However, a DUP spokesman said his party was "surprised and saddened" by the reaction of the Alliance Party.

"It is a sorry state of affairs when Stephen Farry is supporting a complaint against Iris Robinson for quoting from the Bible," he said.

"It is indicative of the situation in Northern Ireland when that party supports police investigations into public representatives for quoting the scriptures."

A police spokeswoman confirmed that a complaint had been made about Mrs Robinson's comments.

However she said it had "not yet been established if any offence has been committed".

It is understood the PSNI are only examining the complaint itself at this stage to see whether or not to pursue it further.

* Meanwhile, the Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health has issued a statement to correct some media reports which said that Dr Miller is one of its directors.

"The psychiatrist quoted by Iris Robinson was a member of the Association's Board for a brief period of time a number of years ago, and has not been involved in the Association's work in any way since that time," said a spokeswoman.

The association does not support discrimination or prejudice based on race, religion, gender or sexual orientation, she added, but it also believes that every person has the right to chose "where and how they get emotional and psychological support, personally or professionally".


Debate heats up as Robinson row rumbles on

Gay row doctor defends claims