A Belfast property developer has lodged a formal complaint alleging criminal misfeasance in public office by First Minister Peter Robinson.

Peter Curistan lodged the complaint with the office of the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, George Hamilton, in relation to allegations made by Mr Robinson in the House of Commons while he was MP for Belfast East.

Mr Robinson made remarks during a parliamentary debate in February 2006 which damaged Mr Curistan’s personal and business reputation, he said.

Solicitor Joe McVeigh of KRW Law, representing Mr Curistan, said the firm engaged the services of Eugene Grant QC, a former chair of the Bar Council of Northern Ireland, and obtained a legal opinion on the complaint.

This has since been provided to the PSNI Chief Constable.

Mr McVeigh said: “Our client now insists the police diligently and expeditiously investigate his allegations and, most importantly, interview the First Minister.

“It is our client’s fervent belief that sufficient evidence exists that Mr Robinson should be investigated, interviewed and prosecuted on the basis of his complaint.”