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Barrister in Robinson inquiry Barrister in Robinson inquiry
(about 3 hours later)
The barrister Paul Maguire QC has been appointed to investigate claims made against NI First Minister Peter Robinson in a BBC Spotlight programme. The barrister Paul Maguire QC has been appointed to advise on claims made against NI First Minister Peter Robinson in a BBC Spotlight programme.
He has been appointed by the government's legal service, the Departmental Solicitor's Office, after Mr Robinson asked for an inquiry.He has been appointed by the government's legal service, the Departmental Solicitor's Office, after Mr Robinson asked for an inquiry.
The BBC said Mr Robinson knew about his wife's improper financial dealings but did not tell the proper authorities.The BBC said Mr Robinson knew about his wife's improper financial dealings but did not tell the proper authorities.
Mr Robinson has stressed that he believes he will be exonerated.Mr Robinson has stressed that he believes he will be exonerated.
The BBC programme said Iris Robinson broke the law by not declaring her financial interest in the business deal.The BBC programme said Iris Robinson broke the law by not declaring her financial interest in the business deal.
She obtained the money from two property developers, which was paid to her 19-year-old lover to help him launch a cafe. She later asked him for £5,000 for herself.She obtained the money from two property developers, which was paid to her 19-year-old lover to help him launch a cafe. She later asked him for £5,000 for herself.
The programme said Mr Robinson knew about her financial dealings but did not tell the proper authorities despite being being obliged by the ministerial code to act in the public interest at all times.The programme said Mr Robinson knew about her financial dealings but did not tell the proper authorities despite being being obliged by the ministerial code to act in the public interest at all times.
OpinionOpinion
Mr Robinson has denied breaching any ethical codes.Mr Robinson has denied breaching any ethical codes.
Following the programme, broadcast earlier this month, 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.Following the programme, broadcast earlier this month, 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.
He said he wanted a senior lawyer to look at the programme and to give an opinion as to what he should have disclosed or whether he breached any obligations.He said he wanted a senior lawyer to look at the programme and to give an opinion as to what he should have disclosed or whether he breached any obligations.
Mr Robinson also stressed that he believed he would be cleared by an investigation.Mr Robinson also stressed that he believed he would be cleared by an investigation.
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.
Paul Maguire QC has appeared for the government in several recent high profile cases.Paul Maguire QC has appeared for the government in several recent high profile cases.
He is a member of the human rights advisory committee of the Bar Council.He is a member of the human rights advisory committee of the Bar Council.
The Northern Ireland Assembly's Standards and Privileges Committee is also to investigate the Robinson' conduct to see if any breaches of the assembly's code have occurred. This is likely to be conducted by NI Ombudsman Tom Frawley.The Northern Ireland Assembly's Standards and Privileges Committee is also to investigate the Robinson' conduct to see if any breaches of the assembly's code have occurred. This is likely to be conducted by NI Ombudsman Tom Frawley.
The first minister has also asked the Westminster Standards Committee to set up an inquiry.The first minister has also asked the Westminster Standards Committee to set up an inquiry.