A row has broken out between hardline Christians and gay rights campaigners.

Stephen Green, leader of Christian Voice, is on the panel of Question Time tonight. Christian Voice believes that homosexuality is sinful. The organisation was set up after the age of consent for gay sex was reduced to 16 in 1994.

He will be appearing on the show, filmed at the Corn Exchange in Brighton, but gay rights campaigners say he should not be broadcast.

David Harvey, chairman of Brighton Gay Pride, is considering making a formal police complaint about Mr Green's inclusion on the show. Mr Harvey: "If you substitute the word 'black' for 'gay' in what Christian Voice say, they could be arrested for inciting racial hatred."

Ric Bailey, executive editor of Question Time, defended the decision to include Mr Green.

He said: "Why would he not be on Question Time?

One of the points of the programme is that opinions are held up to the scrutiny of the panel and the audience."

Gay rights activists will be protesting outside the Corn Exchange in New Road, Brighton, at 6pm today.

The show is broadcast on BBC One at 10.35pm.