Journalist arrested in home of Robinson’s ex-lover

POLICE in the North have confirmed that a journalist with the Sunday World newspaper was arrested inside the east Belfast home of Iris Robinson’s former teenage lover.

Belfast-based Hugh Jordan, aged 58, and a second man – believed to be a photographer – were arrested by police officers at around 6.30pm on Wednesday at Kirk McCambley’s home in the Belmont area of the city.

It is understood the pair were in the 21-year-old’s bedroom when they were challenged.

Mr Jordan has denied that he had been arrested.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph yesterday, he said: “No. I was not arrested. That is not true. I was working on a story, like you are. I have nothing to say on the matter.”

However, a spokesman for the Police Service of Northern Ireland said they had received a complaint of assault at a property in the Belmont area of east Belfast on Wednesday.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner last night, the spokesman said: “Shortly after 6.30pm on Wednesday police received a complaint of an assault at a property in the Belmont area of east Belfast. Two men, aged 45 and 58 years, were arrested by police and were released on street bail, to appear at a police station at a later date, pending further inquiries.

“No injuries were reported as a result of the assault. Both men were arrested but were later released.”

The spokesman confirmed that one of the men arrested was Hugh Jordan of the Sunday World.

Kirk McCambley has been at the centre of a media storm after it emerged last week that he had an affair with First Minister Peter Robinson’s wife Iris when he was just 19.

Mr McCambley received two loans totalling £50,000 (€56,500) – arranged by Ms Robinson – to set up a café at the Lock Keeper’s Cottage in south Belfast.

Castlereagh Borough Council has ordered an investigation to discover if Ms Robinson broke any local government rules during her involvement with Mr McCambley.

First Minister Peter Robinson, yesterday revealed that revelations about his wife’s affair have left him desolate and have also taken a physical toll on him. He said he had lost more than two stone in weight since he learned of her adultery.

The DUP leader also addressed press reports that his wife may have had other affairs with Mr McCambley’s late father Billy and an unnamed party colleague.

“I am asking these journalists on the basis of common humanity to give me their evidence,” he said.

There was no comment last night from the Sunday World.