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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Iris Robinson attempted suicide | Iris Robinson attempted suicide |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The wife of Northern Ireland's first minister, Peter Robinson, has said she tried to kill herself while suffering depression after she had an affair. | The wife of Northern Ireland's first minister, Peter Robinson, has said she tried to kill herself while suffering depression after she had an affair. |
| Mr Robinson, leader of the DUP, said they would try to save their marriage. | Mr Robinson, leader of the DUP, said they would try to save their marriage. |
| Iris Robinson announced in December she was stepping down from politics due to ill health. The couple were married in 1970 and have three grown-up children. | Iris Robinson announced in December she was stepping down from politics due to ill health. The couple were married in 1970 and have three grown-up children. |
| Mr Robinson who has been first minister since June 2008, said he will continue in his job. | Mr Robinson who has been first minister since June 2008, said he will continue in his job. |
| In an interview on Wednesday, he said he first learned of the affair on March 1 2009, the night Mrs Robinson attempted suicide. | In an interview on Wednesday, he said he first learned of the affair on March 1 2009, the night Mrs Robinson attempted suicide. |
| Mr Robinson, who appeared close to tears, said he had been "deeply hurt" and that his immediate impulse had been to walk away from the marriage. | Mr Robinson, who appeared close to tears, said he had been "deeply hurt" and that his immediate impulse had been to walk away from the marriage. |
| 'Ashamed' | 'Ashamed' |
| However, he said he had set the affair against 40 years of a loving relationship and had forgiven his wife. | However, he said he had set the affair against 40 years of a loving relationship and had forgiven his wife. |
| Mrs Robinson said in a statement that she was "completely ashamed and deeply embarrassed" by the affair which had "devastated" her life and the lives of those around her. | Mrs Robinson said in a statement that she was "completely ashamed and deeply embarrassed" by the affair which had "devastated" her life and the lives of those around her. |
| She said she began the brief affair while she was supporting a man who had suffered a bereavement. | She said she began the brief affair while she was supporting a man who had suffered a bereavement. |
| She said she had also encouraged friends to help him by "providing financial support for a business venture." | She said she had also encouraged friends to help him by "providing financial support for a business venture." |
| Mrs Robinson used the statement to publicly apologise to her husband, her wider family and friends. | |
| She said she would "pay any price on earth" to take back the wrong she had done. | She said she would "pay any price on earth" to take back the wrong she had done. |
| She added: "I do not deserve a second chance but I have been given one." | She added: "I do not deserve a second chance but I have been given one." |
| Mrs Robinson said she believes she has been forgiven by God. | Mrs Robinson said she believes she has been forgiven by God. |
| Mr Robinson insisted that the revelations would not undermine his role as first minister. | Mr Robinson insisted that the revelations would not undermine his role as first minister. |
| He said he would be back at work on Thursday morning, ready to meet the Sinn Fein deputy first minister, Martin McGuinness. | He said he would be back at work on Thursday morning, ready to meet the Sinn Fein deputy first minister, Martin McGuinness. |
| The development comes as the power sharing arrangements in Northern Ireland are under pressure in a dispute over the timing of devolution of policing and justice. | The development comes as the power sharing arrangements in Northern Ireland are under pressure in a dispute over the timing of devolution of policing and justice. |
| Financial | Financial |
| Sinn Fein said the powers should be devolved immediately while the DUP say more must be done to build confidence among the unionist community before devolution happens. | Sinn Fein said the powers should be devolved immediately while the DUP say more must be done to build confidence among the unionist community before devolution happens. |
| During his interview Mr Robinson was also asked if his financial affairs were under investigation. | During his interview Mr Robinson was also asked if his financial affairs were under investigation. |
| In reply he said he had always acted "in the most professional and ethical way." | In reply he said he had always acted "in the most professional and ethical way." |
| He also confirmed he had received a letter from the BBC which he said contained no allegations against him but "asked questions which are easily answered." | He also confirmed he had received a letter from the BBC which he said contained no allegations against him but "asked questions which are easily answered." |
| The BBC Spotlight programme has confirmed it has been investigating matters involving Iris Robinson for some time. | The BBC Spotlight programme has confirmed it has been investigating matters involving Iris Robinson for some time. |
| In a statement the BBC added that allegations have been put to the Robinsons and their response is awaited. | In a statement the BBC added that allegations have been put to the Robinsons and their response is awaited. |