The revelations about Peter Robinson’s wife Iris have indirectly led to a political first for a Democratic Unionist leader – a handshake with Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness.

The North's political leaders will today continue intensive negotiations aimed at securing a deal to stabilise its power-sharing administration.

Under pressure Democratic Unionist leader Peter Robinson rejoined political talks with Sinn Féin tonight as efforts intensified to secure a deal on devolving policing powers to the North.

The North’s main political parties are set for more talks today as efforts intensify to finally resolve the long-running dispute over the devolution of policing powers.

Foreign Minister Micheál Martin and the Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward are due to meet tonight as the Irish and British governments prepare to step up the pressure to end the political crisis in Belfast in the aftermath of the Iris Robinson scandal.

The Taoiseach Brian Cowen has said he wishes Peter Robinson and his family well in dealing with their difficult personal issues.

DUP leader Peter Robinson said today he was temporarily stepping down as the North's First Minister in an attempt to clear his name following the scandal surrounding his wife Iris.

DUP leader Peter Robinson has asked a party colleague to step in as First Minister, the Northern Ireland Assembly was told today.

Members of the Democratic Unionist Party today backed their under pressure leader Peter Robinson following calls for his resignation over the scandal involving his wife Iris.

The Northern Ireland Assembly is meeting as a scandal threatens the future of DUP leader Peter Robinson.

The future of Northern Ireland’s power-sharing Executive will come under renewed scrutiny today after Sinn Féin tabled an urgent Assembly question about the Robinson controversy.

The Democratic Unionist Party today terminated the membership of disgraced MP Iris Robinson.

Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward has refused to speculate about the future of DUP leader Peter Robinson, after this week's revelations about his wife Iris's affair and financial dealings with a 19-year-old.

Senior DUP member Gregory Campbell has said party leader Peter Robinson should be given a week to prove that he did not breach any rules over his wife's financial affairs.