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/8527393.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
PSNI in Robinson council searches Iris reports 'pure fantasy' - DUP
(about 14 hours later)
Castlereagh Borough Council offices have been searched by police as part of their investigation into allegations made against Iris Robinson. Comments made about Iris Robinson in some Sunday newspapers are "ruthless lies", the DUP has said.
On Saturday night, the PSNI were at the council buildings with the co-operation of the council officers. In a statement on Sunday night, the party said Mrs Robinson remains in hospital under 24-hour suicide watch.
It is part of an inquiry into the accusations made about Mrs Robinson's financial affairs by BBC's Spotlight. The party condemned stories in some of that day's newspapers as "complete fabrication" and "pure fantasy".
It reported that Mrs Robinson obtained £50,000 from two developers to help her teenage lover open a cafe business. Police searched Castlereagh Borough Council offices on Saturday as part of their inquiry into accusations made about Mrs Robinson's financial affairs.
BBC Spotlight reported that Mrs Robinson - wife of Northern Ireland First Minister and DUP leader Peter Robinson - obtained £50,000 from two developers to help her teenage lover open a cafe business.
She then attended the council meeting during which the cafe lease was awarded to Kirk McCambley but allegedly broke the law by not declaring her financial interest.She then attended the council meeting during which the cafe lease was awarded to Kirk McCambley but allegedly broke the law by not declaring her financial interest.
The police investigation is being carried out by the organised crime branch. The PSNI organised crime branch is carrying out an investigation.
Mrs Robinson resigned as an MP, assembly member and councillor following the programme. In Sunday night's statement released by party press officer John Robinson, the party claimed Mrs Robinson had been the target of "relentless smear and invention".
Official inquiries into Peter Robinson's conduct are still under way
The party said legal action would be taken.
It refuted the suggestion that Mrs Robinson was planning "a Tiger Woods-style public relations offensive as she gears up to a return to public life".
"The truth is that Iris remains in hospital under acute psychiatric care and under 24-hour suicide watch as a result of the unremitting and ruthless lies and attacks against her," the statement said.
It added that she had paid a "high price" for her "one indiscretion" and accused some of "a clear attempt to pursue her to the grave and destroy the lives of all her family".
Mrs Robinson resigned as an MP, assembly member and councillor following the Spotlight programme.
A special meeting of Castlereagh Council will take place later on Monday to discuss a replacement for her seat.