Thousands of people have attended the gay Pride parade through Belfast city centre.

Free Presbyterian Church members were among those protesting over the event.

There has been an ongoing row over comments on homosexuality made by the DUP MP Iris Robinson, who called homosexuality an abomination.

Andy Thompson, of Belfast Pride, said Mrs Robinson should give up her job as chair of the Northern Ireland Assembly's health committee.

"We are not calling for her to stand down as an MP or an MLA, that is up to to the people of Strangford," he said.

"But in terms of being in a position at the heart of government in Northern Ireland, she really does have to go."

Ahead of the parade the DUP would not comment - other than to say they were committed to fairness and equality for everyone in Northern Ireland.

piccies: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/7539129.stm

website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7538653.stm

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