Shock jock Howard Sattler has been suspended from his long-running radio show after questioning the sexuality of Prime Minister Julia Gillard's partner. The Perth radio host asked a series of "disrespectful and irrelevant" questions concerning hairdresser Tim Mathieson.

"Tim's gay," Sattler opened to Gillard when she appeared as guest at his Driver show on 6PR radio network on Thursday. "It's not me saying it. That's a myth."

The long-time radio host asked her if they could dispel some of the "myths, rumours, snide jokes, and innuendo" that are floating around.

"Well that's absurd," Gillard replied.

"But you hear it. He must be gay because he's a hairdresser," he insisted. "But you've heard it. It's not me saying it. It's what people say."

"Howard, I don't know whether every silly thing that gets said is going to be repeated to me now," the politician countered, defending her domestic partner of seven years.

"You know, to all the hairdressers out there, including to all the men who are listening, I don't think in life one can actually look at a whole profession full of different human beings and say, 'Gee, we know something about every one of those human beings.' I mean it's absurd, isn't it?"

Still, Sattler wouldn't let up, saying, "You can confirm that he's not?"

"No, but are you in a heterosexual relationship? That's all I'm asking."

"Look, Howard, you and I have just talked about that... Let me just bring you back to earth," a clearly annoyed Gillard replied. "You and I have just talked about me and Tim living at the Lodge. We live there together as a couple. You know that. Yes, on the Internet there are lots of what I've referred to in the past as nut jobs, and I'm happy to use the expression again. People who peddle and circulate vile and offensive things."

The interview garnered negative reactions from Twitter users, with some of the commenters asking for Sattler's dismissal.

6PR then released a statement that announces the DJ's suspension following the incident.

Program manager Martin Boylen said in a statement that the management considered that "the questions posed by Mr Sattler were disrespectful and irrelevant to the political debate," adding that the presenter "has been suspended from broadcasting on 6PR pending an internal inquiry."

"Mr Sattler apologised later in the program for his line of questioning. The management of FRN also extends its sincere apologies to the Prime Minister and her partner."

Sattler is an award-winning journalist with 25 years of presenting experience.