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Robinson back to face colleagues Robinson back to face colleagues
(about 1 hour 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. NI First Minister Peter Robinson is back at work at Stormont, 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, the DUP leader 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. Mrs Robinson, who became the DUP MP for Strangford in 2001, 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 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 believes she has been forgiven by God.
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.
Peter Robinson made a statement to journalists on ThursdayPeter 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. 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
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 politicalNobody 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.
ReactionReaction
In a statement on Wednesday evening, Mr McGuinness said he wished the Robinsons well. 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.
"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."