Defiant Robinson vows to clear name over sex and money scandal

BELEAGUERED Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson last night vowed to clear his name after vehemently denying any knowledge of his wife’s irregular financial dealings with her teenager lover.

The Democratic Unionist leader ordered an official inquiry into his conduct on discovering his MP wife Iris had secured £50,000 (€55,615) from two wealthy developers to help her 19-year-old toyboy set up a restaurant business.

As well as the illicit affair, he claimed she had also concealed the nature of the donations she obtained.

“I had no information,” he said. “Absolutely no information about that, nor of any of the other financial arrangements, which is hardly surprising if somebody is hiding an affair from you, it’s probably not a surprise they are hiding the other arrangements relating to that affair.”

The East Belfast MP 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’s Kirk McCambley’s restaurant – even though she was a member of the council that gave him the go-ahead to open in 2008.

Some senior DUP members fear Mr Robinson might not survive this crisis and the sex and money scandal involving his wife, who has quit politics.