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Gay news: Dr Paul Miller is a representative of the National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality
Iris Robinson
Iris Robinson's 'gay cure' psychiatrist reported to GMC
A psychiatrist recommended by disgraced former MP Iris Robinson for his work in 'curing' homosexuality has been reported to the General Medical Council (GMC), following the exposure of his methods by an undercover journalist.
Dr Paul Miller, who has a private practice in south Belfast, was the therapist referred to by Robinson when she made
her now-notorious remarks about gay people in 2008.
Speaking after a gay man was attacked in Northern Ireland, she had also said:
"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. And I have met people who have turned around to become heterosexual."
At the time, Dr Miller was an advisor to Robinson when she was chair of the Health Committee at Stormont and currently runs the Abeo umbrella organisation for therapists involved in attempting to convert gay people to heterosexuality.
He is also the Northern Ireland representative of America's National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality.
His methods were exposed last month when London-based gay journalist Patrick Strudwick went undercover to receive treatment from him and had his story published in The Independent.
Strudwick posed as a patient and had two sessions of therapy via a webcam to Miller in Belfast, during which he was encouraged to become aroused and Miller spoke about his own struggle to fight attraction to men.
Strudwick told BBC News: "It was very disturbing because I was acutely aware during the sessions of the effect this would be having on a vulnerable young person had I been genuinely seeking treatment.
"I felt disgusted and abused by his inappropriate sexual remarks during the sessions.
"To hear this from a psychiatrist during a session, it was like being sexually assaulted."
Strudwick subsequently reported Miller to the GMC, which is expected to discuss the case at the beginning of next month.
"I am actually the first person in British history to try and get a doctor struck off for treating homosexuality," Strudwick said.
"If Dr Miller is struck off, which I hope he is, this is a test case and will serve as a warning to other psychiatrists and mental health professionals attempting to do this."
