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Online Poll: Should Peter Robinson stand down?

Friday, 8 January 2010

Online Poll: Should Peter Robinson stand down?

Should Peter Robinson resign as First Minister?

Yes	67%
No	33%

455 comments

In the wake of the recent revelations surrounding Peter and Iris Robinson we pose the question - In the interests of Northern Ireland should the DUP leader consider his position as First Minister?

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455 Comments

My guess is,the only thing Mrs.Robinson is sorry about is being outed for having an affair with someone young enough to be her son. .Please enlighten us as to which Biblical teaching Iris was following when she decided to bed this young man/teenager.

Posted by Aussie | 22.01.10, 14:46 GMT

Peter Robinson should not resign he has not done anything wrong

Posted by Aileen Graham | 16.01.10, 18:48 GMT

I am from Belfast but live in North America. I don't share Mr. Robinson's political affiliation nor his commitment to retaining Northern Ireland within the U.K. I sympathize with his wife's mental state however her hypocritical behaviour was really quite astounding. Mr. Robinson however deserves our sympathy, understanding and respect. If it true, as it appears it is, that he has not violated any laws or ethical standards, then this terribly upsetting personal situation should not preclude his continuing as First Minister. He seems to be a decent man who is the principal "victim" of this whole situation. Who could read today's interview in the Telegraph and not feel sympathy for Mr. Robinson? Churchill described politics as a "bloodsport." If anywhere demonstrates the futility of such an approach it is Northern Ireland. Everyone should make this an opportunity to seek higher ground. Give Mr. Robinson the time to heal and then get back to his job. He deserves no less.

Posted by Michael In Toronto | 16.01.10, 04:19 GMT

Sam, you are so right. Why not Adams? Of course Peter Robinson should not resign because his wife had an affair. How ridiculous can the Ulster people be. If the truth be told I take a guess that most of the couple in N.I. had a little on the side...

Posted by Patricia | 15.01.10, 22:55 GMT

humans can make mistakes

let him that is without sin cast the first stone.

cheer up peter and iris.
with love and compassion from
sam

Posted by sam rollins | 15.01.10, 22:10 GMT

Sam ,
It's abundantly clear that you are playing the sectarian card here . If you had something even approaching the I Q of a cocker spaniel you would instantly recognise that the Adams case and the Robinson scandal are far from being on all fours , so comparisons are totally inappropiate !
In my opinion , Robinson should resign before he is pushed .

Posted by Jack | 15.01.10, 17:15 GMT

the sooner the ordinary working people realise that they actually have a lot in common with 'the other side' the better.

so long as we're debating marches and throwing stones at each other - the ruling class and political elite will continue to feast...

its time to wake up folks..........

Posted by Ian Boyd | 14.01.10, 20:24 GMT

It says in the bible them that are without sin cast the first stone!! I think he is a man therefore can make mistakes

Posted by Gayle Crozier | 14.01.10, 17:01 GMT

How come there is a poll on peter robinson s future and not one on whether gerry adams should resign?

Posted by sam | 14.01.10, 14:31 GMT

taxpayers in the rest of the UK are subsidising the machinery of government in Northern Ireland. Most see it as a good investment if it leads to more community cohesion and peace. The news that the Robinsons lead a rather luxurious lifestyle does not go down well with people already annoyed with the details of Westminster MPs expenses.

Posted by Jim Birkett | 14.01.10, 14:26 GMT

Its called the democratic unionist party for gods sake, its a total farce!!!!!!!! Democratic and unionist does not go together, Northern unionists should start looking for an alternative party, one that is modern and respresentative of young protestant views, not those of unionist dinosaurs................but there isnt one out there, what ever happened to student revolt and dynamic protest deperately needed from the young intelligent unionist populus. There is no room for extremist views anymore, cheerio peter good ridance!

Posted by newry citizen | 14.01.10, 14:10 GMT

A cynic would say, the Robinsons have done well financially out of their political activities. Today, they could usefully, shrug their shoulders and admit 'the games up.' Ten years from now, in their Florida home they may look at each other and ask the question "Was it worth it?"
On the debit side would be the loss of their grandiose home in East Belfast, and the ignominy they and their children would endure in Northern Ireland. On the credit side, would be their wealth and hey let's party! but overseas.

Posted by Andrew Cathcart | 14.01.10, 12:26 GMT

The one accusation against Peter Robinson is that he was aware his wife had broken the rules in not declaring her financial dealings and did not report it. If this is true then he has not acted with integrity and should step down.

Posted by Justin | 13.01.10, 13:18 GMT

Why should Peter Robinson leave? It would be a step backwards for the assembly, at the end of the day all he did wrong was try to clean up his wife's mess - in the right way (financially). We cant deny that if the same thing happened to any of us we wouldnt try to help our other half, and all he was doing was trying to pay the money back!! He should tell his wife where to go as she is ruining both his life and also that of local government...

Posted by AJLES | 13.01.10, 09:28 GMT

Iris needs cured. Pete should stay on as FM. It would be an even bigger for the DUP if he stayed.

Posted by J Wallace | 13.01.10, 08:16 GMT

Has anyone watched the peter robinson interveiw where he firstly tells of his wifes affair? this man has been through a nightmare and had it all dragged through the media! he has done the right thing and stepped aside but in no way should he go especially for his wifes misgivings!

Posted by concerned unionist | 13.01.10, 06:32 GMT

Mr Robinson has not done anything wrong! I fully sympathise with his family at this hard time they are facing and hope and pray they get through this and come out the other end fighting! I hope he stays for the sake of NI! He has done nothing wrong and was doing a good job in my opnion!

Posted by Leah... East Belfast | 12.01.10, 23:46 GMT

I believe Iris is ill with guilt!.Peter looks genuinely shocked and deeply hurt.
I hope he comes out of this clean and gets back to buisness and restores some face!.
Young people have very few clean role models these days and we wonder why they go crazy drinking and sleeping around?.
Ken dundonald

Posted by robert lappin | 12.01.10, 17:46 GMT

why shoyld peter stand down,he needs his wages ,not like the whistle blower and little kirk

Posted by lillian millar | 12.01.10, 16:35 GMT

'Arrogance' that was the motivator in this sorry tale.

Its not pity that I feel for either Iris Robinson or her husband Peter Robinson as I don't think that either of them deserve our pity. This young man was 19 when he was embroiled in these dealings. If Iris Robinson had been a teacher she would have been sacked.
Peter Robinson may or may not have known about what was happening but if he lived with the women at all, he must have realised that she was becoming more and more irrational

It is a lesson to us all that if you are going to speak for God you would need to listen to what he is saying to you.

Posted by heather matthews | 12.01.10, 16:25 GMT