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Robinson steps down for six weeks Robinson steps down for six weeks
(31 minutes later)
DUP leader Peter Robinson is to step aside for six weeks as First Minister amid the storm over his wife's private life and finances. DUP leader Peter Robinson is to step down as Northern Ireland First Minister for six weeks amid the storm over his wife's private life and finances.
Mr Robinson has designated Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster to take charge with immediate effect.Mr Robinson has designated Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster to take charge with immediate effect.
The move was announced on Monday afternoon by the speaker William Hay in the assembly chamber. He has been under pressure after it was reported that he knew his wife obtained £50,000 from two developers but did not tell the proper authorities.
Earlier, the DUP's full assembly team offered him their "wholehearted support" as he faced pressure to quit. Earlier, the DUP assembly team said it offered him its "wholehearted support".
It follows a BBC Spotlight programme on his wife, Iris.
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On Monday, DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds said Mr Robinson had the party's "wholehearted support" and they wished him to remain as their leader.
Under assembly rules, the first minister can step aside and designate a replacement for up to six weeks. After this, any changes must be referred back to the assembly for ratification.
Mr Dodds, the party's deputy leader, who had been tipped to take over as leader, said that despite attempts by elements of the press and the DUP's political opponents to force Mr Robinson from office, the party was firmly behind him.Mr Dodds, the party's deputy leader, who had been tipped to take over as leader, said that despite attempts by elements of the press and the DUP's political opponents to force Mr Robinson from office, the party was firmly behind him.
He said they wanted him to express their "desire for him to remain in office as leader of the DUP".He said they wanted him to express their "desire for him to remain in office as leader of the DUP".
The party deputy leader said that at a combined meeting of DUP MLAs, party officers, the parliamentary party and their European member, it was agreed unanimously to offer Mr Robinson their full support. Mr Dodds said that at a combined meeting of DUP members of the NI Assembly, party officers, the parliamentary party and their European member, it was agreed unanimously to offer Mr Robinson their full support.
Ian Paisley snr and Ian Paisley jnr, along with Peter Weir and Ian McCrea were among the small number of DUP MLAs who remained in the assembly chamber while Mr Dodds delivered his party's statement in support of Mr Robinson. Iris Robinson, an MP and an NI Assembly member, is currently receiving "acute psychiatric treatment" following a BBC Spotlight documentary broadcast last week.
Finance Minister Sammy Wilson was on his feet addressing the assembly at the time. It reported that she obtained £50,000 from two property developers for her 19-year-old lover, Kirk McCambley, to launch a cafe.
Earlier, Mr Wilson said Mr Robinson had the full support of his party and the community. She failed to register the money with the authorities in Stormont and Westminster, as required by the law.
It also reported that her husband, the first minister, knew about her financial dealings but did not tell the proper authorities.
It has been announced that she will step down as an assembly member and MP this week due to ill health. Sources have also confirmed that she will be leaving the DUP.
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An extended edition of BBC NI's Stormont Live at 1430 GMT on Tuesday covers the special session of the NI Assembly.An extended edition of BBC NI's Stormont Live at 1430 GMT on Tuesday covers the special session of the NI Assembly.
"Clock ticking"
Speaking on that programme, Sinn Fein's Gerry Kelly acknowledged that Mr Robinson deserved time to sort out personal relationships.Speaking on that programme, Sinn Fein's Gerry Kelly acknowledged that Mr Robinson deserved time to sort out personal relationships.
But he pointed out: "The clock is ticking. This is a partnership government and a coalition government.But he pointed out: "The clock is ticking. This is a partnership government and a coalition government.
"Martin McGuinness said clearly that we are entering into a crisis ... There is a necessity for all the people in the north to have policing and justice sorted out." "Martin McGuinness said clearly that we are entering into a crisis," he said.
On BBC Radio Ulster's Nolan on Monday, Mr Wilson from the DUP said: "Peter Robinson has not only got the backing of the party, I think he has the backing of the community. "There is a necessity for all the people in the north to have policing and justice sorted out."
"I have been out and about over the weekend. I have found nothing but sympathy and support for him."
HAVE YOUR SAY I am sorry for Mr and Mrs Robinson, but I'm more sorry for the people they are supposed to represent S Bingham, Torbay Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY I am sorry for Mr and Mrs Robinson, but I'm more sorry for the people they are supposed to represent S Bingham, Torbay Send us your comments
Iris Robinson is currently receiving "acute psychiatric treatment" as the furore surrounding her continues. The evening before the Spotlight documentary was broadcast, Mr Robinson revealed that his wife had attempted suicide following the affair.
She obtained £50,000 from two property developers for her 19-year-old lover, Kirk McCambley, to launch a cafe.
She failed to register the money with the authorities in Stormont and Westminster, as required by the law.
It is alleged that the first minister knew about her financial dealings but did not tell the proper authorities.
The story was broken by the BBC Spotlight programme last Thursday.
The evening before that, Mr Robinson revealed that his wife - an MP and NI assembly member - had attempted suicide following the affair.
On Friday, as the storm broke surrounding the allegations, the first minister said he believed he had not done anything wrong.On Friday, as the storm broke surrounding the allegations, the first minister said he believed he had not done anything wrong.
He has asked government lawyers to investigate his conduct.He has asked government lawyers to investigate his conduct.
'Authority'
He said he would "not be slow" in taking a decision if that investigation found that he should have acted differently.He said he would "not be slow" in taking a decision if that investigation found that he should have acted differently.
Over the weekend, a number of parties cast doubt on whether the legal opinion sought by Mr Robinson would have sufficient authority to clear the matter up.Over the weekend, a number of parties cast doubt on whether the legal opinion sought by Mr Robinson would have sufficient authority to clear the matter up.
Lord Trimble said he expected Mr Robinson to step down soon
Meanwhile, a DUP spokesman has said Mrs Robinson was receiving treatment from the Belfast Health Trust.
Reports that she was in a French ski resort were "completely untrue", he added.
In December, Mrs Robinson issued a statement saying she was leaving politics due to ill health. However, at the weekend, DUP sources confirmed she would be stepping down as an MP and MLA within the next few days.
She represents the Strangford constituency in County Down both at Westminster and at the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Sources also confirmed that she would be leaving the DUP.
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Over the weekend, Mr Robinson came under increased pressure to step down as first minister.
On Sunday, former first minister and ex-Ulster Unionist party leader David Trimble said he could "no longer deliver" in the role.
Speaking to the BBC, Lord Trimble said the DUP leader had "lost his authority within the party and the system".
Lord Trimble said he expected Mr Robinson to step down within the "next few days".
"To have a situation where a party leader sees his wife expelled from the party and acquiesces in it, doesn't even persuade the party to give her a decent way out, shows there has been a complete loss of authority," he said.
'Untenable'
Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams said it was important that the problems surrounding the Robinsons did not detract from the current political impasse over the devolution of policing and justice.
Mr McIlveen said he was only expressing his own point of view
"This is not about the Robinsons' private family matters," he said.
"It is about implementing outstanding political agreements that are essential to good government and public confidence."
A close friend of ex-DUP leader Ian Paisley repeated his view that Mr Robinson's position as Northern Ireland first minister was "untenable".
Free Presbyterian minister David McIlveen stressed that his opinion was not that of Mr Paisley.
His Church has also said he was not speaking on their behalf.