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| Version 9 | Version 10 |
|---|---|
| Iris Robinson 'to go within week' | Iris Robinson 'to go within week' |
| (20 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. |
| Iris Robinson, who is also leaving the DUP, could leave both posts next week. | |
| Earlier this week, the BBC alleged 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 Mr Robinson did not tell the authorities his wife failed to register £50,000 she obtained from two property developers. |
| He has asked officials at the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister to investigate his conduct. | He has asked officials at the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister to investigate his conduct. |
| On Friday, Mr Robinson said he believed he had not done anything wrong. | On Friday, Mr Robinson said he believed he had not done anything wrong. |
| 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. |
| The Spotlight programme said Mrs Robinson had obtained the money from two property developers, which was paid to her 19-year-old lover, Kirk McCambley, to help him launch a cafe. | The Spotlight programme said Mrs Robinson had obtained the money from two property developers, which was paid to her 19-year-old lover, Kirk McCambley, 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. |
| Shaun Woodward: "This is obviously a very real personal tragedy" | Shaun Woodward: "This is obviously a very real personal tragedy" |
| The financial allegations followed a public admission by Mr Robinson that his wife had attempted suicide after her affair. | The financial allegations followed a public admission by Mr Robinson that his wife had attempted suicide after her affair. |
| Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward has warned that devolution should not be put at risk by the controversy surrounding Mr Robinson. | Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward has warned that devolution should not be put at risk by the controversy surrounding Mr Robinson. |
| He said: "It is a responsibility on everyone in the assembly to understand that the consequences of allowing the political process to slide would undoubtedly have an impact on the broader canvas. | He said: "It is a responsibility on everyone in the assembly to understand that the consequences of allowing the political process to slide would undoubtedly have an impact on the broader canvas. |
| "And that if anybody were to be selfish enough to think this is a moment when that can be allowed to be put in the deep freeze, even some may wish to unpick, they would be extremely irresponsible, foolish and would be playing very, very dangerous games." | "And that if anybody were to be selfish enough to think this is a moment when that can be allowed to be put in the deep freeze, even some may wish to unpick, they would be extremely irresponsible, foolish and would be playing very, very dangerous games." |
| 'No sympathy' | 'No sympathy' |
| It is understood the party will appoint someone to replace Mrs Robinson as an MLA as soon as possible. | It is understood the party will appoint someone to replace Mrs Robinson 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. |
| A party source said the next few days were "absolutely critical for the party". | A party source said the next few days were "absolutely critical for the party". |
| "We wanted to show people we were acting decisively. There was no question about it, she had to go and go now," they said. | "We wanted to show people we were acting decisively. There was no question about it, she had to go and go now," they said. |
| "There was absolutely no sympathy for the position she found herself in." | "There was absolutely no sympathy for the position she found herself in." |
| Iris Robinson obtained £50,000 for her lover, Kirk McCambley | Iris Robinson obtained £50,000 for her lover, Kirk McCambley |
| 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. |
| Last month, she issued a statement saying she was leaving politics due to ill health, however, the move comes earlier than expected. | Last month, she issued a statement saying she was leaving politics due to ill health, however, the move comes earlier than expected. |
| 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." |
| Meanwhile, Sinn Fein MLA Caral NiChuilin has submitted an emergency motion to the Assembly Speaker asking Mr Robinson to make a statement to the assembly about the BBC investigation. | Meanwhile, Sinn Fein MLA Caral NiChuilin has submitted an emergency motion to the Assembly Speaker asking Mr Robinson to make a statement to the assembly about the BBC investigation. |
| Ms NiChuilin said Sinn Fein wanted to find out if there were any implications for the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister arising from the Spotlight programme. | Ms NiChuilin said Sinn Fein wanted to find out if there were any implications for the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister arising from the Spotlight programme. |
| "At a time when there are significant outstanding issues to be resolved in the wider political process it is crucial that the first minister brings much needed clarity to this situation," she said. | "At a time when there are significant outstanding issues to be resolved in the wider political process it is crucial that the first minister brings much needed clarity to this situation," she said. |
| "In short the current status quo cannot continue." | "In short the current status quo cannot continue." |
| The Robinsons were married in 1970 and have three grown-up children. | The Robinsons were married in 1970 and have three grown-up children. |