‘Rock-solid’ couple may pay heavy price over loans claim
It ended in acrimony after they rowed over the repayment of a £50,000 (€55,589) loan she had secured from two family friend developers so her toyboy lover could open a restaurant on the banks of the River Lagan.
Ms Robinson stepped down from politics nine days ago, citing a long battle with depression.
In March last year, the MP attempted to take her own life. That was four months after her fling with Mr McCambley.
The pair had become close after Ms Robinson comforted him following the death of his father, Billy, who was her friend.
“She looked out for me to make sure I was OK,” her former lover, now 21, told Thursday’s BBC Spotlight programme.
Selwyn Black, a former adviser to the MP, who resigned over the loans issue, told the programme Ms Robinson encouraged Mr McCambley to bid for the tender to run a cafe at the historic Lock Keeper’s Cottage, a site Castlereagh Council was redeveloping.
Apparently she then obtained two £25,000 payments from the developers, Fred Fraser, who has since died, and Ken Campbell.
The programme stated that at the time Ms Robinson was asking Mr Campbell for the money, she also lobbied on his behalf for one of his building projects in her parliamentary constituency of Strangford.
Mr McCambley said she had both cheques made out in his name but asked him for £5,000 back in cash. The council subsequently awarded him the contract to run the cafe.
However, it is claimed that Ms Robinson failed to register her financial interest in the scheme to fellow councillors. She also faces claims she did not record the loans on her declaration of interests at Stormont and Westminster.
Mr Black, who turned whistleblower to the investigation, said Peter Robinson became aware of the situation and in December 2008, urged his wife to ensure both loans were repaid to Mr Campbell and the estate of Mr Fraser.
However, it is claimed that he did not alert Castlereagh Council, the Stormont Assembly, Westminster or any parliamentary watchdog that his wife may have broken rules.
“They both knew the consequences of what they had been involved in and did nothing to address that circumstance.
“It goes right to the heart of credibility of government in Northern Ireland,” Mr Black said.
The Robinsons’ 40-year marriage was considered to be rock-solid, with the DUP leader frequently rallying to his wife’s defence when her criticism of homosexuality saw many label her a political liability.
But that image of wedded bliss has now been shattered.
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