"The truth is that Iris remains in hospital under acute psychiatric care and under 24-hour suicide watch... Iris publicly admitted her one indiscretion and has paid a high price for it," the spokesman said.

The statement follows reports that a team of police officers investigating Mrs Robinson's financial dealings visited the offices of Castlereagh Borough Council, of which she was a long-standing representative, over the weekend.

The council issued a statement playing down the visits, saying: "There was absolutely nothing sinister in this visit whatsoever.

"There was no raid. A visit was arranged as part of the ongoing investigation by the police following the BBC Spotlight documentary.

"All relevant personnel were aware of the visit and co-operated fully and transparently, as has been the case from the start of the investigation.

"Any records removed were computer records and this required IT personnel working in conjunction with the police IT personnel.

"The council will co-operate fully in the future, as it has done in the past, to bring the current investigation to a swift and complete conclusion."

Mrs Robinson is being investigated over allegations that she failed to declare £50,000 she had obtained from two property developers to start a business for her teenage lover.

She withdrew from public life after admitting to the affair.