Robinson back as First Minister

Published Wednesday, 03 February 2010

DUP leader Peter Robinson has resumed his role as First Minister, he said in a statement.

Mr Robinson said he had been cleared of breaching his code of office over the financial scandal surrounding his wife, Iris.

He said he had informed Assembly speaker William Hay of his decision to resume his functions, after receiving legal advice from barrister Paul Maguire QC, a senior Crown counsel, who had been appointed to advise on allegations of misconduct.

"His advice supports my consistent contention that I have acted at all times properly and in full compliance with my public duties," Mr Robinson said.

"I am therefore glad that at this critical time I can resume fully the functions of my office with confidence. I will now move forward to the next stages of this process which I believe will also vindicate me."

Enterprise minister Arlene Foster temporarily took on the functions of First Minister, after Mr Robinson stepped aside last month in a bid to clear his name and care for his family, in the wake of the scandal surrounding his wife's personal and financial affairs.

The first couple were plunged into crisis after BBC Spotlight revealed that Mrs Robinson had secured £50,000 from two wealthy developers to help her then 19-year-old lover Kirk McCambley set up a restaurant business in south Belfast.

Mr Robinson vehemently denied any knowledge of his wife's irregular financial affairs.

The announcement comes amid mounting speculation that the outcome of the ongoing policing talks will depend on a crunch meeting of the DUP's assembly team.

Earlier this week, the under-pressure DUP leader was said to be struggling to convince his party to back a deal on the devolution of policing and justice and parades.

On Tuesday, the DUP denied there was any split within the party ranks, despite reports that 14 MLAs opposed the proposed deal put forward by Peter Robinson.

Iris Robinson stood down as an MLA, MP and councillor following the scandal and is currently under criminal investigation. Last month, Mr Robinson said she was receiving "acute psychiatric treatment" from the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.

Comments

4 Comments

MARTIN in Belfast wrote (840 days ago):

Jim with all due respect I'm totally aware that martin is running the country with peter but the article was not about Martin if you re-read it.

Paul in Belfast wrote (841 days ago):

These people clearly take us plebs as imbeciles. Peter never stopped being First Minister. It's utter nonsense. Perhaps Arlene did sit at his desk for few weeks but she would be, according to the Good Friday Agreement, unable to make a decision without the agreement of the Deputy First Minister anyway, who I seem I remember has been locked into talks with, errr, Peter Robinson for the past weeks. Fancy that! So Peter in effect appointed someone to manage his office staff and rearrange his pens. Please, UTV, DUP....everybody. Stop this pantomime. It's becoming quite offensive.

Jim in USA wrote (841 days ago):

Martin, Peter Robinson doesn't have the authority to run the country. His position as FM is purely symbolic. In case you've forgotten the situation is power sharing. He can't break wind without the cooperation of Martin McGuinness. Well, maybe that's going a little to far, but I'm sure you get the picture. The pretend government at Stormont is just a play thing to keep the natives happy.

MARTIN in Belfast wrote (841 days ago):

Well done and welcome back Peter. I never doubted you at any point, as for your wife thats another matter. Now lets see you get down to business and finish this deal over policing so you's can get down to the more important business of running the country.