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Inquiry into Robinson cafe affair Inquiry into Robinson cafe affair
(about 7 hours later)
Castlereagh council has voted to hold an external investigation into its decision to award a catering contract to Iris Robinson's teenage lover.Castlereagh council has voted to hold an external investigation into its decision to award a catering contract to Iris Robinson's teenage lover.
The council wants the inquiry to examine whether or not it suffered any financial loss by awarding the lease for Lock Keepers Inn to Kirk McCambley. The council wants the inquiry to examine whether it suffered financial loss by awarding the lease for the Lock Keepers Inn to Kirk McCambley.
Mrs Robinson procured money from two developers to help him open the cafe.Mrs Robinson procured money from two developers to help him open the cafe.
She then attended a council meeting when the lease was awarded and broke the law by not declaring an interest.She then attended a council meeting when the lease was awarded and broke the law by not declaring an interest.
Investigators will be also be asked to ascertain whether or not council officers and members complied with local government legislation and to examine if any impropriety took place.Investigators will be also be asked to ascertain whether or not council officers and members complied with local government legislation and to examine if any impropriety took place.
The decision to agree the terms of reference was endorsed unanimously by councillors at Wednesday night's meeting.The decision to agree the terms of reference was endorsed unanimously by councillors at Wednesday night's meeting.
It is expected that the council will shortly announce who will carry out the investigation and give some indication as to how long the inquiry will take.It is expected that the council will shortly announce who will carry out the investigation and give some indication as to how long the inquiry will take.
ResignationsResignations
Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that Mrs Robinson has resigned as an MP, MLA and councillor.Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that Mrs Robinson has resigned as an MP, MLA and councillor.
The Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly told the BBC that her decision would be formally announced to MLAs next Monday.The Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly told the BBC that her decision would be formally announced to MLAs next Monday.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Treasury announced that Mrs Robinson had formally announced her resignation as MP for Strangford. Her resignation from the council was announced by its acting chief executive.Earlier on Tuesday, the Treasury announced that Mrs Robinson had formally announced her resignation as MP for Strangford. Her resignation from the council was announced by its acting chief executive.
Mrs Robinson has applied for the Chiltern Hundreds, the system used by MPs who wish to resign.Mrs Robinson has applied for the Chiltern Hundreds, the system used by MPs who wish to resign.
At the weekend, the DUP said that Mrs Robinson was leaving the party.At the weekend, the DUP said that Mrs Robinson was leaving the party.
Last month, she issued a statement saying she was leaving politics due to ill health; however, news that she was stepping down came earlier than expected.Last month, she issued a statement saying she was leaving politics due to ill health; however, news that she was stepping down came earlier than expected.
Details of Mrs Robinson's financial and personal relationship with Mr McCambley, who runs the Lock Keeper's Inn cafe in south Belfast, were revealed in a BBC Spotlight programme last week.Details of Mrs Robinson's financial and personal relationship with Mr McCambley, who runs the Lock Keeper's Inn cafe in south Belfast, were revealed in a BBC Spotlight programme last week.
ROBINSON STORY SO FAR 6 January: Peter Robinson says his wife Iris tried to take her own life last March after admitting an affair with teenager Kirk McCambley 7 January: BBC's Spotlight reveals details of Iris Robinson's financial affairs - she obtained £50,000 from two property developers to help her lover launch a café and asked him for £5,000 for herself 10 January: DUP says Iris Robinson is receiving acute psychiatric treatment 11 January: Peter Robinson steps aside from his role as first minister for a six-week period - DUP colleague Arlene Foster becomes acting first minister amid renewed focus on resolving her party's problems with Stormont power-sharing colleagues Sinn Fein Timeline: Robinson allegationsROBINSON STORY SO FAR 6 January: Peter Robinson says his wife Iris tried to take her own life last March after admitting an affair with teenager Kirk McCambley 7 January: BBC's Spotlight reveals details of Iris Robinson's financial affairs - she obtained £50,000 from two property developers to help her lover launch a café and asked him for £5,000 for herself 10 January: DUP says Iris Robinson is receiving acute psychiatric treatment 11 January: Peter Robinson steps aside from his role as first minister for a six-week period - DUP colleague Arlene Foster becomes acting first minister amid renewed focus on resolving her party's problems with Stormont power-sharing colleagues Sinn Fein Timeline: Robinson allegations
The programme reported that Mrs Robinson then sought to provide Mr McCambley with capital to open the business.The programme reported that Mrs Robinson then sought to provide Mr McCambley with capital to open the business.
She obtained a total of £50,000 from two developers, Fred Fraser, now deceased, and Ken Campbell to fund the project.She obtained a total of £50,000 from two developers, Fred Fraser, now deceased, and Ken Campbell to fund the project.
Spotlight reported that while Mrs Robinson was asking Mr Campbell for the money, she also lobbied on his behalf for one of his building projects in her former parliamentary constituency.Spotlight reported that while Mrs Robinson was asking Mr Campbell for the money, she also lobbied on his behalf for one of his building projects in her former parliamentary constituency.
Mr McCambley said he received two cheques, which he invested in kitchen equipment and furniture.Mr McCambley said he received two cheques, which he invested in kitchen equipment and furniture.
He also told the programme that after he received the money Mrs Robinson had then asked him to give her £5,000 in cash.He also told the programme that after he received the money Mrs Robinson had then asked him to give her £5,000 in cash.
Spotlight reported that in July 2008, six weeks after Castlereagh Borough Council advertised for expressions of interest in the cafe project, only one applicant met the criteria - Mr McCambley.Spotlight reported that in July 2008, six weeks after Castlereagh Borough Council advertised for expressions of interest in the cafe project, only one applicant met the criteria - Mr McCambley.
The deal was sealed on 28 August and Iris Robinson was in attendance as the council authorised the signing of the lease.The deal was sealed on 28 August and Iris Robinson was in attendance as the council authorised the signing of the lease.
The laws covering local government state that once Mrs Robinson had a financial interest in the business, she was obliged to declare it at any meeting she attended where it was being considered. She failed to do so.The laws covering local government state that once Mrs Robinson had a financial interest in the business, she was obliged to declare it at any meeting she attended where it was being considered. She failed to do so.
Spotlight reported that she also broke a cluster of other rules in the Code of Conduct for councillors - as many as five elements of the code.Spotlight reported that she also broke a cluster of other rules in the Code of Conduct for councillors - as many as five elements of the code.