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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Iris Robinson 'to go within week' | Iris Robinson 'to go within week' |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The wife of the NI First Minister is to stand down as an MP and MLA as pressure mounts on Peter Robinson to explain his involvement in her financial dealings. | The wife of the NI First Minister is to stand down as an MP and MLA as pressure mounts on Peter Robinson to explain his involvement in her financial dealings. |
| A DUP source said Iris Robinson could leave both posts as soon as next week. | |
| It is understood the party will appoint someone to replace her as an MLA as soon as possible. | It is understood the party will appoint someone to replace her as an MLA as soon as possible. |
| There will not be a by-election for her Westminster seat because a general election is likely to be held before a formal writ can be moved. | There will not be a by-election for her Westminster seat because a general election is likely to be held before a formal writ can be moved. |
| The source confirmed these were the consequences of party officers accepting Mrs Robinson's decision to withdraw from the party, Westminster and Stormont. | The source confirmed these were the consequences of party officers accepting Mrs Robinson's decision to withdraw from the party, Westminster and Stormont. |
| Mrs Robinson represents the Strangford constituency in County Down both at Westminster and at the Northern Ireland Assembly. | Mrs Robinson represents the Strangford constituency in County Down both at Westminster and at the Northern Ireland Assembly. |
| She had already announced her decision to leave politics, but the move has come earlier than expected. | She had already announced her decision to leave politics, but the move has come earlier than expected. |
| Iris Robinson obtained £50,000 for Kirk McCambley with whom she was having a sexual relationship | Iris Robinson obtained £50,000 for Kirk McCambley with whom she was having a sexual relationship |
| Earlier this week, the BBC alleged that Mr Robinson did not tell the authorities his wife failed to register £50,000 she obtained from two property developers. | Earlier this week, the BBC alleged that Mr Robinson did not tell the authorities his wife failed to register £50,000 she obtained from two property developers. |
| The Spotlight programme said Mrs Robinson obtained the money from two property developers, which was paid to her 19-year-old lover to help him launch a cafe. | The Spotlight programme said Mrs Robinson obtained the money from two property developers, which was paid to her 19-year-old lover to help him launch a cafe. |
| It said the DUP leader had known about her financial dealings, but did not tell the proper authorities despite being obliged by the ministerial code to act in the public interest at all times. | It said the DUP leader had known about her financial dealings, but did not tell the proper authorities despite being obliged by the ministerial code to act in the public interest at all times. |
| The financial allegations follow a public admission by Mr Robinson that his wife had attempted suicide after her affair. | The financial allegations follow a public admission by Mr Robinson that his wife had attempted suicide after her affair. |
| 'Untenable' | 'Untenable' |
| Earlier on Saturday, Reverend David McIlveen, a Free Presbyterian minister who is a close friend of former DUP leader Ian Paisley, said he believed Mr Robinson should consider stepping down temporarily. | Earlier on Saturday, Reverend David McIlveen, a Free Presbyterian minister who is a close friend of former DUP leader Ian Paisley, said he believed Mr Robinson should consider stepping down temporarily. |
| "I do believe that his position is becoming increasingly untenable," he said. | "I do believe that his position is becoming increasingly untenable," he said. |
| "He has a major problem with regard to solving his own family difficulties, and I personally cannot take the view that a person's private life does not affect their public life. | "He has a major problem with regard to solving his own family difficulties, and I personally cannot take the view that a person's private life does not affect their public life. |
| "Judgements that we make in private will undoubtedly influence our judgements in public." | "Judgements that we make in private will undoubtedly influence our judgements in public." |
| However, Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward said Mr Robinson should be given the chance to clear his name. | However, Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward said Mr Robinson should be given the chance to clear his name. |
| Shaun Woodward said Peter Robinson had "fiercely resisted" allegations of financial wrongdoing and had asked officials to investigate the matter. | Shaun Woodward said Peter Robinson had "fiercely resisted" allegations of financial wrongdoing and had asked officials to investigate the matter. |
| "I think we have to allow that to happen," he said. | "I think we have to allow that to happen," he said. |
| On Friday, Mr Robinson said he had asked officials at the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister to set up an investigation into his conduct. | On Friday, Mr Robinson said he had asked officials at the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister to set up an investigation into his conduct. |
| "I don't believe that I have done anything wrong. I have acted properly at all times. I have subjected myself to investigation. I am prepared publicly to allow the outcome of that investigation to be known," he said. | "I don't believe that I have done anything wrong. I have acted properly at all times. I have subjected myself to investigation. I am prepared publicly to allow the outcome of that investigation to be known," he said. |
| "I am prepared to act in accordance with the outcome of that investigation and I believe that the public, who are fair in these matters, will be prepared to have me judged by a thorough investigation and legal opinion being given to us, rather than the smear and innuendo of the press." | "I am prepared to act in accordance with the outcome of that investigation and I believe that the public, who are fair in these matters, will be prepared to have me judged by a thorough investigation and legal opinion being given to us, rather than the smear and innuendo of the press." |
| However, he added that he would "not be slow" in taking a decision if the investigation found that he should have acted differently. | However, he added that he would "not be slow" in taking a decision if the investigation found that he should have acted differently. |
| Last month, Mrs Robinson issued a statement saying she was leaving politics due to ill health. | Last month, Mrs Robinson issued a statement saying she was leaving 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. |