Iris Robinson 'broke rules' over lover's loan

The North's First Minister Peter Robinson was under new pressure tonight after it was alleged that his wife organised a £50,000 (€55,752) loan to help her young lover set up a business in Belfast.

Iris Robinson is said to have secured the money from two family friend developers so 19-year-old Kirk McCambley could open a restaurant on the banks of the River Lagan.

However, the Strangford MP faces claims that she did not declare an interest in the business despite sitting on the local council that awarded the tender to Mr McCambley.

The TV documentary further alleged that her DUP leader husband became aware of the situation but did not take steps to alert the appropriate authorities.

If the claims made by the BBC 'Spotlight' investigation are true, they would represent clear breaches of parliamentary rules and codes.

On Wednesday Mrs Robinson, who stepped down from public life 10 days ago citing mental health problems, issued a stunning statement admitting the affair and revealing that, racked by guilt, she had tried to take her own life in March last year.

That was four months after her fling with Mr McCambley ended in acrimony after the couple rowed over the repayments of the loans.

The pair had first become close after Mrs Robinson comforted Mr McCambley following the death of his father Billy, who was her friend. They started a sexual relationship in the summer of 2008.

"She looked out for me to make sure I was OK," her former lover, now 21, told last night's BBC 'Spotlight' programme.

Selwyn Black, a former adviser to the MP, who resigned over the loans issue, told the documentary Mrs 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 (€27,877) payments from the developers Fred Fraser, who has since died, and Ken Campbell.

According to the programme, at the time Mrs 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 (€5,575) back in cash. The council subsequently awarded him the contract to run the cafe.

However, it is claimed that Mrs Robinson failed to register her financial interest in the scheme to her fellow councillors. She also faces claims that she did not record the two loans on her declaration of interests at Stormont and Westminster.

Mr Black, who turned whistleblower to the investigation, said the First Minister 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," said Mr Black.

"It goes right to the heart of credibility of government in Northern Ireland."

The documentary team was told Mrs Robinson was too unwell to answer the allegations made in the programme.

Last night, the DUP said Mr Robinson would be contacting his lawyers about the broadcast.

But during an interview about his marriage on Wednesday, the First Minister said he was aware of the 'Spotlight' claims and was confident he had done nothing wrong.

The couple's 40-year marriage was considered by all sides to be rock-solid, with the DUP leader frequently rallying to his wife's defence when her outspoken criticism of homosexuality saw many label her a political liability.

That image of wedded bliss has been shattered by this week's revelations, however.