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Iris Robinson thrown out of DUP after Kirk McCambley revelations
Saturday, 9 January 2010
Iris Robinson, pictured with her husband and Northern Ireland's First Minister Peter Robinson
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The Democratic Unionist Party today expelled disgraced MP Iris Robinson.
Her membership has been terminated and she will leave Westminster and her MLA's position in Stormont as early as next week because of the shame over her financial dealings with a toy boy lover.
A party source said: "The next few days is absolutely critical for the party.
"We wanted to show people we were acting decisively.
"There was no question about it, she had to go and go now.
"There was absolutely no sympathy for the position she found herself in."
The source said party officers would meet as early as Monday to decide who would replace Mrs Robinson as MLA in the Northern Ireland Assembly.
However there will not be a by-election for her Westminster Strangford seat as a general election is likely before the formal writ can be moved.
The wife of Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson announced just after Christmas she was quitting politics because of severe depression.
But the Robinsons have since been plunged into controversy after it emerged Iris had secured £50,000 from two wealthy developers to help her 19-year-old toyboy set up a restaurant business in south Belfast.
Her husband Peter has been left fighting to clear his name after insisting he did not know of his wife's irregular financial dealings with her teenage lover.
It is believed Mrs Robinson remains living at their east Belfast home.
But authoritative sources with the party claim the leader believes his marriage may not even survive, never mind his political career.
Mr Robinson faced calls to resign or consider his future amid heightening unease and deep disquiet within his own ranks following claims that he failed to alert the authorities that Mrs Robinson did not declare her monetary interest in her lover Kirk McCambley's restaurant - even though she was a member of the council that gave him the go-ahead to open in 2008.
Already under pressure from rival unionists going into the general election, some senior DUP members fear the leader might not survive this crisis and the sex and money scandal involving his troubled wife.
Mr McCambley, 21, refused to comment at his business on the banks of the River Lagan.
Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward today refused to speculate about Mr Robinson's future.
But he said: "It is a responsibility on everyone in the Assembly to understand that the consequences of allowing the political process to slide would undoubtedly have an impact on the broader canvas.
"And that if anybody were to be selfish enough to think this is a moment when that can be allowed to be put in the deep freeze, even some may wish to unpick, they would be extremely irresponsible, foolish and would be playing very, very dangerous games."
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Woodward said that the First Minister had to be allowed the opportunity to clear his name.
But he went on: "I'm very conscious of the fact that while all that is happening, he is First Minister and the business of devolution, the business of the Executive must go on.
"I hope he will be able to resume the responsibilities as First Minister to ensure that the work of the Executive continues and that includes the talks on policing and justice devolution."
Mr Robinson came out fighting last night, ordering civil servants to call in senior lawyers to investigate his actions.
At the office of the DUP headquarters in his East Belfast constituency he said: "I have consistently indicated that I have done nothing wrong, that I acted properly.
"But me believing that and saying it, in my view, is not sufficient because I am being, if you like, tried by the press and therefore I think that we need to have an investigation."
Asked what he would do if the lawyers did find he had breached ministerial codes, he said: "If there is (a breach) I will have to clearly and publicly indicate that is so and that clearly will mean there are consequences that I have to consider ... in regard to my position."
The DUP leader also disclosed that his 60-year-old wife was too unwell to even answer the allegations levelled at her.
"I am not even in the position where I can question my wife about these issues," he said.
"Neither her solicitor or I would be confident about the responses we are getting to any questions."
The MP also hit out at any suggestion that his wife was overstating the seriousness of her illness.
Last night it was disclosed that Mr Robinson's partner at the head of the powersharing government, Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness, had also requested that officials seek legal opinion on the allegations.
The scandal has broken with the Executive already destabilised by the ongoing rift between the DUP and Sinn Fein over delays in devolving policing powers to the region.
A Sinn Fein source said: "Martin McGuinness requested a legal opinion to be prepared by the departmental solicitor's office concerning any implications for the operations of the OFMDFM."
Sinn Fein Assembly member Caral NiChuilin has submitted an emergency motion to the Speaker Willie Hay asking the First Minister to go to the Assembly and make a statement outlining any implications for the OFMDFM office.
Meanwhile, separately, it has emerged the Electoral Commission is reviewing whether the DUP received a number of donations it should have reported.
A spokesman said it followed an interview given by Mr Robinson to a newspaper last summer in which he was quoted as saying he had donated a portion of his First Minister's salary to the party.
Political donations are regulated and for last year those over £5,000 must be reported by the party to the Commission.
The spokesman said an investigation had not been launched, but a review was being undertaken to establish if legislation had been breached.
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Comments
56 Comments
If it's the case that Iris is receiving acute psychiatric treatment, it might be determined by her medics that she doesn't have legal capacity to sign whatever documents are necessary for her to resign her positions in Westminster Stormont and her Council Seat. That might be a little inconvenient for the DUP Overlords who appear to have made her mind up for her and acute embarassment given that the tray's already been garnished and awaits delivery of her head. She's said nothing and given her current indisposition has not been given any opportunity to say anything further in her defence and despite all that has gone on, should be afforded the opportunity to do so. Audi Alterem Partem - not a biblical or popish phrase but a legal principle meaning "let the other side be heard".
Posted by Jim | 11.01.10, 09:16 GMT
I think it is all very tragic. But, I am sorry to hear so many judgmental and sanctimonious notes from folks who claim not to be religious at all! Funny, that. The tragedy, to me, is that it appears that Iris suffers from some sort of very serious mental illness-- bi-polar disorder??? All her actions speak to a serious mood disorder presently out of control-- she deserves our pity not rocks thrown at her.
Posted by John | 11.01.10, 04:39 GMT
What next???? Before they say it I will. The next card to be played will be that she was going through the "change of life" and didnt have control over what she was doing My answer to that --- millions of other women go through the same and do not commit audultery Both her and him should go immediately with no remuneration what so ever. By all accounts they've already bled the country dry!!!!
Posted by Menopausal | 11.01.10, 02:12 GMT
Please don't start fighting again, just because somebody had an affair. I'm running your Marathon in Belfast next May.
Peace
Posted by Luiz | 11.01.10, 01:32 GMT
I have some empathy for the Robinsons, I really do, even though we are from different planets in every way. But in the end they are fellow human beings and must be hurting badly.
But God, its got it all ! Sex - Religion and Politics ! What more could anyone ask, although I'm expecting someone to blame the Pope for it any minute now. Maybe the lad is a closet Papist spy ?
Slan go foill.
Posted by Fair Play | 10.01.10, 23:30 GMT
Iris is DUP, I am very different politicaly from DUP. Having said this Iris has been vocal on issues we all agree on. She has had the guts to speak about immoral issues that are being forced on normal people. I respect her for her honesty and political incorrectness? Good for you Iris. I don't agree with your out of marital affair. Iris is a good looking woman and could excite the other sex easily irrespective of religious or political affilation. . She has human needs that are normal and can cause problems for humans. The other stuff that happened is another issue.
Posted by canadiangael | 10.01.10, 22:35 GMT
Iris may have been thrown out but is she the first of many?
This is the second allegation of dealings with property barons levelled at DUP members. £50,000 is a substancial sum to ask from friends out of the blue. Is it possible this is not the first time of asking from any member of the DUP?
Have the party pushed Iris in the hope that the rest will not be looked at in as close a fashion?
Just too many questions and no answers from the DUP.
We need an open and honest response from all MLAs and their parties on the question of finance. Why shouldn't we know. If you want to support a political party then stand up and be counted.
Posted by Untrusting in Antrim | 10.01.10, 22:13 GMT
Peter has been dealt a serious blow, both personally and politically, currently there is no evidence pointing toward any impropriety by him. Right now there's not a need for him to resign, but he has every reason to distance himself from his wife.
Lets wait to see what an inquiry reveals, and in the meantime show a little grace.
Posted by Stuart McCarroll | 10.01.10, 22:04 GMT
Iris,PLEASE, could you lend me £49.000. I've to start my own business; dating agency with toyboys!!!!!
Posted by Andrea | 10.01.10, 21:34 GMT
I've heard that the police are looking for a young man walking around East Belfast wearing a sash singing 'she was old but she was beautiful'....
Posted by Billy | 10.01.10, 20:50 GMT
No sympathy for them. . I had already decided before Christmas that the DUP could stick my vote where the sun doesn't shine, in protest, but now it will be even more satisfying voting elsewhere
Posted by DJ | 10.01.10, 20:34 GMT
Thanks Canuck! I haven't laughed so much for ages? Any more where that came from?
Posted by Alison | 10.01.10, 20:18 GMT
yes double standards I agree - and why hasnt Gerry Adams been questioned more intensely about the fact his brother the wanted, was in Sinn Fein . That has all been swept away now that we have a Unionist to badger. Not sticking up for Peter Robinson as far as I can see no politican can fully be trusted.
Posted by Regina Fillangee | 10.01.10, 20:10 GMT
Its funny how Iris Robinson is too sick to answer any questions, did she not go on a Ski-ing holiday in France at the end of last week?
Posted by peter anderson | 10.01.10, 20:05 GMT
I wonder did he sing the line from that famous song - "It was old but it was beautiful"
Posted by Marty Y | 10.01.10, 19:33 GMT
Whoever said that Christians were perfect? The joy and glee of some of the comments is enough to make you sick! Amazing how left winged liberals love the verse 'judge not' until a christian is involved in sin. If Peter and Iris have made their peace with G-d, who am I to judge? Jesus said 'Go and sin no more.' I do think Peter should resign, because I think he needs to get his house in order, and I'll be praying for the both of them. G-d bless Robinsons.
Posted by Sean | 10.01.10, 19:25 GMT
For the good of the country they both should leave Monday without wasting anymore of our hard earned money. They should not get pensions or payouts either. Thieves the both of them. Shame on them both. If this is what the church teaches its members no wonder this work is so screwed up. Close the churches. That will be the 1st step to fixing this country and world.
Posted by Mike Belfast | 10.01.10, 18:41 GMT
Iris will have many a long lonely day to contemplate her navel .Hopefully Peter will do the decent thing and go now before he makes an even bigger ejit of himself by staying. His protestations of innocence insult our intelligence as did his sniveling stage managed performance did on our t v screens the other night
Posted by Rosie Dozy | 10.01.10, 17:43 GMT
While I do agree that Iris should go and also Peter if its proved he knew more than he's admitted - surely it makes a bit of a mockery of our democracy i.e. having an affair and a few dodgy dealings is not ok, but being a self-confessed member of a terrorist organisation is ok if you want to be deputy first minister?
Posted by double standards | 10.01.10, 17:34 GMT
Anti-gay hypocrite Robinson is getting just what he deserves.
Posted by Allan | 10.01.10, 17:32 GMT
56 Comments