Apprentice Robinson takes top spot

It has been a long apprenticeship. However today Peter Robinson finally got the chance to take over as leader of the North’s most successful political party, the Democratic Unionists, after 28 years of being the Rev Ian Paisley’s understudy.

Members of the 36-strong DUP Assembly Group recommended the 59-year-old East Belfast MP be formally appointed their leader when the party executive meets this Thursday.