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| Robinson back to face colleagues | Robinson back to face colleagues |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| 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. | 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, the DUP leader 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. |
| Earlier on Thursday, Mr Robinson met with staff in both his and his wife's constituencies. He also met staff at the DUP's party headquarters. | Earlier on Thursday, Mr Robinson met with staff in both his and his wife's constituencies. He also met staff at the DUP's party headquarters. |
| NI political editor Mark Devenport said his message was that it should now be regarded "as business as usual". | NI political editor Mark Devenport said his message was that it should now be regarded "as business as usual". |
| Mrs Robinson, who became the DUP MP for Strangford in 2001, 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. |
| Peter Robinson made a statement to journalists on Thursday | |
| 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. |
| 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 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 believes she has been forgiven by God. | She 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. |
| 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. |
| 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 |
| 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. |