The First Minister has called for a quick inquiry into the allegations made against him in a TV documentary as his political career hangs in the balance.
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Mr Robinson told UTV's Political Editor that he believed he would be exonerated, hitting out at the "despicable nature of those who provided the material for the programme."
The BBC documentary alleged the First Minister failed to alert the relevant authorities when his wife allegedly broke parliamentary rules to help her young lover set up his business.
The documentary revealed Iris Robinson secured £50,000 from two wealthy developers, who were family friends, so 19-year-old Kirk McCambley could open a restaurant on the banks of the River Lagan.
The Strangford MP faces allegations that she did not declare her financial interest in the business despite sitting on the local council which awarded the tender to her teenage lover in 2008.
"I think Iris does have questions to answer, but we must not breach her right to be able to do that," Peter Robinson said.
Selwyn Black, a former adviser to the MP who resigned after feeling uneasy about the loans issue and turned whistleblower to the investigation, claimed Mr Robinson became aware of the situation and in December 2008 urged his wife to ensure both loans were repaid to developers Ken Campbell and Fred Fraser, who had since died.
"The only information that I ever had in relations to these matters up to the time of the Spotlight programme was that my wife had facilitated a loan to be given to someone who started up a new enterprise from two business friends," Mr Robinson told UTV.
"That the cheques had been paid out directly to the new enterprise and that I insisted that the repayment be made in a manner which was proper through a solicitor and directly to those who had lent the money despite the fact that one of the lenders was deceased."
Inquiry
Mr Robinson has now asked officials in the OFMDFM to look at the allegations and indicate whether the First Minister should have been responsible for disclosing the information to the Assembly or Westminster.
"I'm being tried in the court of public opinion. I'm being tried by the press and the media", he said.
"I believe it's necessary to speak to the public to let them know that I had done nothing wrong, that everything I've done, I've done in a perfectly proper way and I need to indicate that not only do I believe that but I'm putting it to the test."
Should the quick inquiry find that Mr Robinson failed in his responsibilities, "then that has clearly consequences for me and I'll have considerations to take into account."
"If it turns out there was no requirement to disclose I hope those same people who've been smearing will stand up and be man enough to say: 'We were wrong. He was right.'"
Mr Robinson also denied he left his wife unattended following her suicide attempt in March 2009.
"I stayed with her, I was by her side, I carried out the medical instructions that we had received. When Iris went to sleep I left her in the care of members of the family and attended my duties."
Mr Robinson insisted he has received thousands of emails and texts of support against the backdrop of what he called a smear campaign.
"If at any time the party feel that someone is better able to lead the party forward then as a party man I would stand aside", the DUP leader added.
At Stormont, doubts have been cast on his ability to focus 100% on his job as First Minister.
UUP leader Sir Reg Empey said Peter Robinson should now "seriously" consider his position.
"The prospect of a plethera of enquiries going on for months - distracting the First Minister and leaving Stormont in a powerless state cannot be contemplated. The Ulster Unionist Party therefore believes that Peter Robinson should give very serious consideration to his own position as First Minister," he said.
Earlier Sinn Fein Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness expressed his shock at the financial revelations made in the programme.
"I have sought an urgent meeting with the First Minister to discuss the implications for the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister," he said.
TUV leader Jim Allister said both Iris and Peter Robinson's positions were "utterly untenable".
"I think he has undoubtedly lost the moral authority to govern and he should resign", Jim Allister told UTV.
"Fifty thousand pounds paid over from two developers... Is there not a course for investigation into what is the history and ease with which developers paid such money to a politician?" he asked.
The political storm comes as Sinn Fein and the DUP struggle to reach aggreement on the devolution of policing and justice.
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