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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Robinson back to face colleagues | Robinson back to face colleagues |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| First Minister Peter Robinson is due back at work on Thursday, just hours after it was revealed his wife tried to kill herself after an affair. | First Minister Peter Robinson is due back at work on Thursday, just hours after it was revealed his wife tried to kill herself after an affair. |
| Iris Robinson said in a statement on Wednesday that she had attempted suicide after she had a "brief" relationship with another man. | Iris Robinson said in a statement on Wednesday that she had attempted suicide after she had a "brief" relationship with another man. |
| In an emotional statement, Mr Robinson said he would try to save his marriage and would continue in his job. | In an emotional statement, Mr Robinson said he would try to save his marriage and would continue in his job. |
| He is due to meet the Deputy First Minster Martin McGuinness later. | He is due to meet the Deputy First Minster Martin McGuinness later. |
| Iris Robinson announced in December she was stepping down from politics due to ill health. | 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. | The couple were married in 1970 and have three grown-up children. |
| In an interview on Wednesday, Mr Robinson said he first learned of the affair on 1 March 2009, the night his wife attempted suicide. | In an interview on Wednesday, Mr Robinson said he first learned of the affair on 1 March 2009, the night his wife attempted suicide. |
| The first minister, who appeared close to tears, said he had been "deeply hurt" and that his immediate impulse had been to walk away from the marriage. | The first minister, 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. | 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. |
| Peter Robinson made a statement to journalists on Thursday | Peter Robinson made a statement to journalists on Thursday |
| 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. |
| Nobody watching the interview by Peter could fail to be moved by the obvious hurt and pain being experienced by the Robinson family Martin McGuinness A long day When the personal becomes political | Nobody watching the interview by Peter could fail to be moved by the obvious hurt and pain being experienced by the Robinson family Martin McGuinness A long day When the personal becomes political |
| 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. |
| Reaction | Reaction |
| In a statement on Wednesday evening, Mr McGuinness said he wished the Robinsons well. | In a statement on Wednesday evening, Mr McGuinness said he wished the Robinsons well. |
| He said: "Nobody watching the interview by Peter could fail to be moved by the obvious hurt and pain being experienced by the Robinson family." | He said: "Nobody watching the interview by Peter could fail to be moved by the obvious hurt and pain being experienced by the Robinson family." |
| And in a statement issued on behalf of the DUP, deputy leader Nigel Dodds said that supporters of the party were "deeply moved" by Mr Robinson's interview. | And in a statement issued on behalf of the DUP, deputy leader Nigel Dodds said that supporters of the party were "deeply moved" by Mr Robinson's interview. |
| He added: "On behalf of the members of the DUP, I want to extend to Peter and the Robinson family our heartfelt prayers and support at this incredibly difficult time." | He added: "On behalf of the members of the DUP, I want to extend to Peter and the Robinson family our heartfelt prayers and support at this incredibly difficult time." |
| Secretary of State Shaun Woodward said the Robinsons should be given space to deal with their issues. He also welcomed Mr Robinson's pledge to return to work. | Secretary of State Shaun Woodward said the Robinsons should be given space to deal with their issues. He also welcomed Mr Robinson's pledge to return to work. |
| "We have got to understand there is a need to distinguish between what is genuinely of public interest and what is interesting to the public," he said. | "We have got to understand there is a need to distinguish between what is genuinely of public interest and what is interesting to the public," he said. |
| "I think the public must respectfully decline any further interest because it's none of their business. | "I think the public must respectfully decline any further interest because it's none of their business. |
| "On public policy, I think people should welcome what the first minister has said and of course that continues the work that he has been doing with Martin McGuinness." | "On public policy, I think people should welcome what the first minister has said and of course that continues the work that he has been doing with Martin McGuinness." |