MP Iris Will Not Face Discipline From PM

Despite more than 15,000 people signing an online petition to Downing Street calling on the Prime Minister to take action, Strangford MP Iris Robinson will not be reprimanded by Gordon Brown (pictured) for voicing her controversial views on homosexuality.

Further to earlier comments on BBC Radio Ulster by Mrs Robinson - the wife of NI First Minister Peter Robinson - she likened gay sex acts to child abuse, and told a Committee that "there can be no viler act, apart from homosexuality, than sexually abusing innocent children".

However, Mrs Robinson later said she had been quoted out of context, even though the official Hansard report has borne out her alleged comments in a transcript of the Northern Ireland Grand Committee meeting - which discussed risk assessment and management of sex offenders.

As Mrs Robinson insisted that at no stage did she set out to suggest that homosexuality was worse than child abuse, the Prime Minister yesterday confirmed there was no constitutional role for him to reproach individual MPs.

A statement issued on behalf of Mr Brown, in response to the petition, said MPs "are accountable to their electorate for their own comments".

However, it said that the Government is committed to strong equality legislation in Northern Ireland.

"The Government's vision is an equal, inclusive society in Northern Ireland, where everyone is treated with respect and where opportunity for all remains a priority," it added.

Mrs Robinson, a devout born-again Christian, said she is entitled to hold her views as a freedom of expression.

The petition was signed by 15,703 people.

See: Robinson Denies 'Child Abuse' Slur On Gays

(PR/KMcA)(BMcC)