This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/8450854.stm

The article has changed 35 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
DUP fight back as pressure builds DUP fight back as pressure builds
(9 minutes later)
Senior members of the DUP are standing firmly behind their leader Peter Robinson who is under growing pressure to quit as NI First Minister.Senior members of the DUP are standing firmly behind their leader Peter Robinson who is under growing pressure to quit as NI First Minister.
He could be forced to resign after a BBC Spotlight programme on his wife, Iris's private life and finances.He could be forced to resign after a BBC Spotlight programme on his wife, Iris's private life and finances.
But Finance Minister Sammy Wilson said he had the full support of his party and the community. But Finance Minister Sammy Wilson said the DUP leader had the full support of his party and the community.
And Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster condemned the "whispering campaign" against the party leader. And Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster condemned the "whispering campaign" against him.
The pressure for Mr Robinson to resign is building as DUP party officers prepare for a crunch meeting later today.The pressure for Mr Robinson to resign is building as DUP party officers prepare for a crunch meeting later today.
But speaking on BBC Radio Ulster's Nolan on Monday, Mr Wilson said: "Peter Robinson has not only got the backing of the party, I think he has the backing of the community.
"I have been out and about over the weekend. I have found nothing but sympathy and support for him."
Mrs Foster said: "The party wholeheartedly supports Peter. If there are those who are starting a whispering campaign, let them come out."
Iris Robinson is currently receiving "acute psychiatric treatment" as the furore surrounding her continues.Iris Robinson is currently receiving "acute psychiatric treatment" as the furore surrounding her continues.
She obtained £50,000 from two property developers for her 19-year-old lover, Kirk McCambley, to launch a cafe.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.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.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 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.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.
'Fight-back''Fight-back'
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.
Speaking about the DUP party officers' meeting later, BBC NI political editor Mark Devenport said Mr Robinson's supporters had begun a fight-back, with two assembly members, Sammy Wilson and Jim Wells, going on BBC radio to make a robust defence of Mr Robinson's position.Speaking about the DUP party officers' meeting later, BBC NI political editor Mark Devenport said Mr Robinson's supporters had begun a fight-back, with two assembly members, Sammy Wilson and Jim Wells, going on BBC radio to make a robust defence of Mr Robinson's position.
"I'm told at least two other senior DUP figures will be on the airwaves during the day giving their support to Mr Robinson. It looks like his friends are coming to his aid," our correspondent added."I'm told at least two other senior DUP figures will be on the airwaves during the day giving their support to Mr Robinson. It looks like his friends are coming to his aid," our correspondent added.
As the assembly reconvenes on Monday, Sinn Fein has put forward an emergency motion calling for Mr Robinson to come before it and explain himself.As the assembly reconvenes on Monday, Sinn Fein has put forward an emergency motion calling for Mr Robinson to come before it and explain himself.
The speaker will decide whether Mr Robinson should be called to the chamber today to answer Sinn Fein's demandThe speaker will decide whether Mr Robinson should be called to the chamber today to answer Sinn Fein's demand
Lord Trimble said he expected Mr Robinson to step down soonLord 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.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.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.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.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.Sources also confirmed that she would be leaving the DUP.
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programmeFROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
Over the weekend, Mr Robinson came under increased pressure to step down as first minister.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.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".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".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."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''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.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 viewMr McIlveen said he was only expressing his own point of view
"This is not about the Robinsons' private family matters," he said."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.""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".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.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.His Church has also said he was not speaking on their behalf.