Boris Johnson has said ending conversion therapy is “technically complex” but insisted ministers will “stamp it out” after three LGBT advisers resigned in protest.

The Prime Minister said he would work to end the “abhorrent” practice after his Government came under damning criticism for allegedly creating a “hostile environment” for LGBT people.

Jayne Ozanne, the first of the advisers to quit this week, cited delays to banning the pseudoscientific process as among her many complaints of ministers.

Equalities minister Liz Truss said on Friday that the Government will “shortly” bring forward plans to ban conversion therapy.

Asked during a visit to Queen’s University Belfast, Mr Johnson told reporters: “I think this practice is repulsive and I think it’s abhorrent and I’m sorry these advisers have gone but be in no doubt that we will deal with this issue.

“It is technically complex to deal with but we’re determined to take further steps to stamp it out.”

Both Ms Truss and fellow equalities minister Kemi Badenoch came under sharp criticism from the resigning advisers, with Ms Ozanne accusing them of vilifying the trans community.

She was followed by James Morton who accused ministers of a “lack of engagement” with the panel.

Then Ellen Murray said she decided to leave “due to the Government’s persistent and worsening hostility towards our community in myriad areas”.

Ms Truss, during a visit to Scotland, told reporters that “we will shortly be bringing forward plans to ban conversion therapy, which is an abhorrent practice”.