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DUP leader Peter Robinson admitted to hospital as precaution DUP leader Peter Robinson admitted to hospital as precaution
(about 3 hours later)
Peter Robinson, leader of Northern Ireland’s largest unionist political party, has been admitted to the Royal Victoria hospital (RVH) in Belfast as a precautionary measure. Peter Robinson, leader of Northern Ireland’s largest unionist political party, has been rushed to hospital less than 24 hours before a fresh round of talks are held aimed at saving the region’s power sharing from collapse.
The 66-year-old Democratic Unionist party (DUP) leader, who has endured a punishing schedule in recent weeks, was taken ill on Saturday and spent the night at the Royal. The Democratic Unionist party said Robinson was taken to the Royal Victoria hospital in Belfast late on Saturday as a result of a reaction to medication.
A hospital spokesman said: “Peter Robinson was admitted to the Royal Victoria hospital as a precautionary measure. He is comfortable and is doing well.” The 66-year-old DUP leader suffered a heart attack back in May, which he put down to poor diet and a lack of exercise. Robinson underwent a medical procedure to have stents fitted.
Robinson stepped down as Northern Ireland’s first minister earlier this month following the political crisis sparked by allegations that the IRA is still active. He appointed his DUP colleague and Northern Ireland finance minister Arlene Foster as the acting first minister. Just over a week ago he stood down as first minister in protest over a Police Service of Northern Ireland assessment that the Provisional IRA still exists and was behind the murder of former republican prisoner Kevin McGuigan.
At this stage, the exact nature of Robinson’s illness is unclear. In May, he spent four nights at the RVH after suffering a suspected heart attack and had to have three stents fitted to help the flow of blood. A spokesperson for the local health trust in Belfast said Robinson was “comfortable and doing well” after treatment.
At the time, Robinson blamed his illness on an unhealthy lifestyle rather than the stress of his job. Sinn Fein deputy first minister Martin McGuinness tweeted a get-well message for the DUP leader.
In a brief statement, a DUP spokesman said the party leader had reacted to medication and was expected to be discharged shortly. Concerned that Peter Robinson admitted to hospital but pleased that he is comfortable & doing well.Wishing him the best for recovery.
A statement said: “Mr Robinson had a reaction to some medication and was admitted as a precautionary measure. He is doing well and will be discharged soon.” Both the DUP and the Ulster Unionists have confirmed over the weekend that they will attend negotiations at Stormont House on Monday.
The discussions will be co-chaired by the Irish and British governments.
The British government announced on Friday that it was setting up an independent ceasefire monitoring system to evaluate whether or not the IRA and other paramilitary organisations still exist, in an attempt to save Northern Ireland’s devolved government from collapse.
Related: Government creates Northern Ireland ceasefire monitor after IRA claims
Secretary of state Theresa Villier’s announcement that a report will be completed by mid October on the IRA, and in particular the McGuigan murder, enabled the two main unionist parties to attend this Monday’s discussions.
The talks are aimed at rebuilding faith between unionists and republicans following the political crisis sparked by the McGuigan murder.
Currently, the Northern Ireland executive exists in a political limbo because Peter Robinson stepped down as first minister this month. All but one of his Democratic Unionist party ministers in the power-sharing coalition have resigned, but to keep the executive in shadow existence, Robinson has appointed Arlene Foster as the acting first minister. She also remains in her post as finance minister.
Sinn Féin has consistently denied that the IRA was involved in killing McGuigan, who was targeted in August because republicans in Belfast believed he was the gunman behind the murder of his one-time IRA comrade Gerard “Jock” Davison in May.
Family and friends of McGuigan insist that the IRA carried out the murder of the former republican prisoner outside his home in East Belfast.