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DUP wakes up to a new reality after Iris Robinson revelations
Friday, 8 January 2010
First Minister Peter Robinson will wake up this morning to face growing pressure over how much he knew about his wife’s financial interest in a business deal involving her teenage lover.
The astonishing series of allegations made in last night’s Spotlight programme takes the saga well beyond the embarrassment of the “inappropriate behaviour” which had been revealed by the Robinsons in their public statements on Wednesday.
Spotlight last night alleged that Peter Robinson became aware of money his wife had received from developers which was used to set Kirk McCambley up in business.
The programme said that while he pressed his wife to return the money, he failed to tell the proper authorities about the transaction despite being obliged to act in the public interest by the ministerial code.
Revelations about sexual indiscretions and questions over financial dealings can be damaging for any politician and any political party.
But the DUP is not just any party. Its roots lie deep in fundamentalist conservative Protestantism and a brand of religion personified by Ian Paisley, who founded it and towered over it as leader until 2008.
The key question now is: will the crisis facing the Robinsons impact on an already tarnished brand? The party has already had some tough times. Part of its traditional base was left in disarray by the 2007 decision to form a coalition with Sinn Fein.
This U-turn after years of bellicose opposition to both power-sharing and “Sinn Fein/IRA in government” has had electoral consequences.
Controversies on expenses have also proved damaging.
Now Iris Robinson’s personal downfall has left her open to a charge of hypocrisy.
It is often argued that a politician's private life is no concern of the media or voters. That is much harder to sustain when the politician and her party have been in the business of moralising at others. This is why sympathy for Mrs Robinson's current distressing plight is not as strong as it might be.
Defenders of Iris Robinson have been quoting the Bible about those without sin casting the first stone. It will be claimed by critics, however, that Mrs Robinson and her party have been throwing a fair few stones about in their time.
There are other Scriptural texts that could be cited, like “Judge not, lest ye be judged”.
To be fair to the Strangford MP, the DUP was mixing politics and religion — and making the personal political — decades before she was denouncing homosexuality as an “abomination”.
The party was formed in 1971 to replace Paisley's Protestant Unionist Party.
Its platform has often echoed the dogmatic theology of his Free Presbyterian Church. For example, the DUP manifesto for Assembly elections in 1982 included a section entitled “Moral Matters — Morals Matter”.
It pledged: “A strong and forthright stand will continue to be taken in accordance with Christian principles on the great moral issues of our day.
“The DUP will lead opposition in the Assembly to such matters as the legalising of homosexuality, opening sex shops and Sunday opening of public houses. Ulster should decide its own moral standards.”
A party manifesto three years later referred to it “recognising the laws of God and the inherent benefits of the Ulster Sabbath as part of our heritage”. Iris Robinson is by no means the only DUP politician of more recent times to bring her religion into politics.
In 2005 Ballymena DUP councillor Maurice Mills claimed the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans was “God's judgement” over a gay festival in the city.
“Surely this is a warning to nations where such wickedness is increasingly promoted and practised,” he added.
“This abominable and filthy practice of sodomy has resulted in the great continent of Africa being riddled with Aids.”
In 2007 Ian Paisley jnr spoke in a magazine interview of being “repulsed” by homosexuality.
Peter Robinson, meanwhile, fully backed his wife's anti-gay stance, saying: “It wasn’t Iris Robinson who determined that homosexuality was an abomination, it was the Almighty.”
Obviously, DUP politicians are entitled to their opinions and to practise their personal faiths. But now one of their number has failed to live up to the exacting standards of righteousness demanded of others.
The fallout from that is hard to gauge at this early stage.
It just might lead to fewer |pronouncements from the political sphere on issues of private morality.
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Comments
26 Comments
For those of us who have had to live under the fanaticism of the DUP and their particular brand of hatred, this is a fine day. It couldn't have happened to a more deserving person.
I am a gay woman who left NI many years ago, I currently reside in Los Angeles, CA.
Posted by Maggie Hamilton | 11.01.10, 01:34 GMT
The same people Locked up the childrens playgrounds on a sunday and even chained up each swing !
maybe what happened will teach them to be more tolernat towards people in the future ?
Posted by jim | 09.01.10, 18:31 GMT
people in glasshouses shouldn't throw stones.People must try to understand that the fundamental issue here is that an agreement was struck by 2 governments and 2 political adversaries on a certain Good Friday.If the signatories of that agreement try to walk away from it or wiggle around it they can only expect a backlash from the very source that put them in OFFICE.That source is You,and me and every Tom Dick and Harry that use a pencil or a biro to place an X on a ballot paper.I say to republicans if you do not trust politicians of your ilk vote for those on the unionist side whom you consider to be honest,and to those of you who are unionists vote for republicans that you believe to be honest.There I rest my case.
Posted by jack o'sullivan | 09.01.10, 15:34 GMT
How many of the jealous and dishonest people baying for the scalp of Peter Robinson have really considered how their affairs would stand up to scrutiny of the pernicious BBC and their lies brigade.
I did not watch their program because I have often seen the lies twisting the facts they engage in and knew it was only ever driven by their hatred of the DUP.
Posted by Darrell Monteith | 08.01.10, 23:10 GMT
Lust and materialism, hypocracy and lies, abuse of power and cynicism, self centeredness and self pity are the result of politics based on tribalism. Does the DUP have any real political ideology other than bigotry and distrust. It's so easy to denounce the sin that we are not tempted by. Homosexuality is an abomination we are told by the Robinsons but the above defects are worse still. The greatest sin is pride. There is a lesson for us all here.
Posted by Paul | 08.01.10, 22:49 GMT
It is very sad that these people can get elected in the first place and not a shock when they are exposed. Use this as a chance to move from 1690 to at least the 18th century.
Posted by Domenico | 08.01.10, 22:25 GMT
How contracts are awarded at Castlereagh needs to be investigated by the ombudsman pronto. This whole matter is very revealing and surely the wider implications are important to the constituents and businesses.
Posted by christine | 08.01.10, 22:14 GMT
Iris Robinson has fallen into great and grievous sin, and has occasioned hurt and disappointment to many and given opportunity for many to mock Almighty God. She is not the first and sadly is unlikely to be the last. There have been such all through history. Indeed the scriptures themselves tell us about such. There is no cover up there. However, all the falls of professing Christians, does not change the the plain teachings of the Holy Scriptures, but rather confirms what they sad about the sinfulness of all of us. Present happenings also illustrate that sin will find you out and remind us of the consequences of sin. The scriptures have been shown to be true in Iris Robinson's life thus far. They will be shown to have similar consequences in eternity for all of us, unless we repent.
Posted by liam | 08.01.10, 21:38 GMT
leave peter robinson alone he has enough problems & has sorted out bigger problems in the past that made a difference to everybody north &south of ireland so i feel that its a private matter between him & his wife, i wish him &iris well and god bless you & and your family
keep up the good work.
Aidan Wade
lusk co, Dublin.
Posted by Aidan Wade | 08.01.10, 21:24 GMT
Honestly, you would be ashamed to admit they are from the island of Ireland. The DUP have been the first to cast many stones but they seem to be a fundamentalist version of Fianna Fail. Same principles , different property developers.
Posted by Bill | 08.01.10, 20:22 GMT
I have never had any time for Iris Robinson. In my personal experience anyone who is a member of her particular place of worship (WMT) is bad news. They believe the only virtue in life is money, money, money. At any cost - after all you can ask for forgiveness and you will get it - who can argue! As for whoever decided to place the plaque over Peter's shoulder for the camera's - Please - do not treat us like idiots.
Posted by AJ | 08.01.10, 16:24 GMT
As a respected authority figure and known to the young man throughout his childhood she was 'in loco parentis' . The behaviours of gaining trust, followed by sexual contact and then trying to cover up the secret is despicable. This young man will have problems throughout his life as he was inevitably so vulnerable through age and grief and she did know better but chose to satisfy her own needs.
he whole family is self serving as demonstrated by the fact that virtually all hold a position without having to go through a competitive skills testing interview.
They need to go and if they have integrity voluntarily and in the interests of justice as soon as possible by any means. Any psychologist will confirm this boy is unlikely to walk away unscathed (emotionally and socially ) through this. So sad for him and the community.
Posted by mpc | 08.01.10, 16:11 GMT
Peter Robinson is a victim of his wife's mistakes and should not lose sight of that. Nobody lost money, nobody lost their life there are simply a lot of anti-unionist journalists around trying to have a go at the DUP. The BBC and Belfast telegraph have been at it for 40 yrs and nothing has changed.
All right thinking people will see through the haze of drivel emanating from these two organisations
Posted by Darrell Monteith | 08.01.10, 16:11 GMT
i feel sorry for the sons and daughter of the robinsons. but it just goes to show that when leaders, true leaders step down the whole thing goes pear shaped. if big ian had of been dead he would be turning in his grave....
i am a co down catholic
Posted by jim sim | 08.01.10, 15:59 GMT
It was widely viewed within the building industry for years that Fred Frazer could build what he wanted anywhere regardless of planning guidelines. Now we have an insight into how he could do this. Both the Robinsons are damaged goods. This controversy will inevitably impede progress in the policing talks and over shadow progress... Like Bertie Ahern and the planning tribunals in Dublin, Peter Robinson will find that wherever he goes this will dog his path,, and like Bertie he has to realise that and go.
Posted by Louise | 08.01.10, 15:42 GMT
I have been shocked to learn of the recent revelations about Iris and her young lover. Im sorry to hear of her ill health, but it is an obvious consequence of the choices she has made. She is not above the law. Ive always supported the DUP and expect I will continue to do so, however I believe Iris should resign immediately. Ive never really warmed to her personality.
As for Peter Robinson, right now he should remain as first minister. He needs to do a lot of soul searching and he is required to be honest with the people of NI. It will be difficult for him to survive this as he would be the first to call for a colleagues resignation if this happened to them. Im sure Jim Allister is gloating!! - I wouldnt expect any thing else of him
Posted by oli | 08.01.10, 13:47 GMT
To betray the trust of a deceased man by taking advantage of his greaving teenage son is beyond the understanding of most decent people, to then follow this by trying to give the £25,000 loan of another deceased friend to your sister in laws church beggars belief. When will this country wake up to the true moral standards of the D.U.P.
Posted by Andy | 08.01.10, 12:08 GMT
Surely this is only the tip of an iceberg we have long suspected. People have been asking for years why there was so much development in designated greenbelts by certain developers. I shall add a bible quotation of my own to finish. "What ye reap so shall ye sow". Thanks to the whistleblower we are getting to the heart of the behavoiur of these self righteous people. Both Robinson's should resign from office by lunchtime. I am sure DUP colleagues who were rallying support yesterdsay feel a little bit used after last nights programme.
Posted by Larry | 08.01.10, 11:52 GMT
I hope that Robinson resigns. But even more I hope that Unionists vote in someone more fitting to the 21st century realities than he.
Surely there is some young talent among them who can move on as the likes of Martin McGuinness has done in the interests of ALL the people of NI.
I am a Republican Catholic from the Republic.
Posted by Patrick | 08.01.10, 11:52 GMT
The DUP has always been an utter disgrace to Irish politics. Now it seems that their sectarian outfit is rapidly imploding.
Good riddance.
Posted by John Q. Public | 08.01.10, 10:50 GMT
26 Comments