Gay group reports Jan Moir to police

The Lesbian & Gay Foundation has reported Daily Mail columnist Jan Moir to police over an article about the death of Boyzone star Stephen Gately.

The organisation has claimed that the article, titled 'Why there was nothing "natural" about Stephen Gately's death', is a homophobic incitement to hatred and suggests that Gately's gay lifestyle contributed to his passing.

"Everyone at the Lesbian & Gay Foundation is appalled and very disappointed. The death of Stephen Gately at such a young age is a tragedy and should be treated as such," chief executive Paul Martin said in a statement.

"Instead, Moir's sweeping generalisations have not only insulted the singer, his partner and his family, but the lesbian, gay, and bisexual community as a whole.

"This incident highlights the ongoing challenge organisations like the LGF have in combating homophobia. We, of course, send our deepest condolences to Stephen’s husband, family and friends."

More than 1,000 complaints have been made to the Press Complaints Commission over the article and celebrities including Stephen Fry took to Twitter to respond to the "repulsive" claims.

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police recently confirmed that they have received a further complaint from a member of the public.

In a statement, Moir said that it was "mischievous" to suggest that her article had homophobic undertones.