Iris Robinson 'improving day by day'

Former MP Iris Robinson is making a steady recovery in her battle against depression, her husband Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson said today.

Former MP Iris Robinson is making a steady recovery in her battle against depression, her husband, the North's First Minister Peter Robinson said today.

The Democratic Unionist leader said: "Iris improves day by day."

Mrs Robinson, 61, has not been seen in public since she returned to the North after undergoing intensive psychiatric treatment in London following her confession of an affair with a teenage lover and her attempt to take her life.

After meeting with relatives of suicide victims in Belfast today, Mr Robinson said: "Iris improves day by day.

"This is a longterm struggle that she and the family go through, and I think I can see the improvements.

"I have no doubt that she will come through."

The First Minister had avoided making public comment on his wife's condition since her return, and party colleagues had declared he would not be providing a "running commentary" on her recovery.

But Mr Robinson addressed the issue after his visit with suicide survivors and said his family's experience had given him an insight into the tragedy faced by others.

"It gives me some understanding of the issue," he said.

"But some of the stories I heard today, they would bring tears from a stone. The burdens that people have had to carry."

Mr Robinson visited the Lighthouse charity in north Belfast which supports those bereaved by suicide and helps anyone at risk of taking their own life.

He held more than an hour of private talks with victims before being shown around the support group's Duncairn Gardens office.

"I am here to listen to what people want to tell me of their own experiences," he said.

"But I think anybody who has these kind of issues touch them will understand the ripple effect within family and friends.

"And I think they will be a lot more understanding of the dilemma that people are in."

His wife was known for her outspoken comments on issues including homosexuality, but she hit the headlines in January when she confirmed details of the affair that had taken place 18 months before.

Her relationship with Kirk McCambley took place when he was aged 19 and she was 59. Mrs Robinson attempted to take her life in March last year after admitting the episode to her husband.

The scandal took on greater political significance when it emerged that she had also secured £50,000 (€57,087) from two property developers to start a business for her lover.

Her failure to declare the deal is now under investigation.

The former DUP representative, who also publicly revealed her longterm battle with depression, was being treated in a London clinic. But it was confirmed in September that she had returned to the North where she continues to receive medical care.

Mr Robinson said he had met young people at the Lighthouse centre who were on the verge of suicide before seeking help from the group.

Asked if his experiences would lead him to offer advice to other families, he said: "The first message is for people who are in those circumstances to make contact with an organisation such as this, people who will understand their circumstances.

"And the second message, of course, is to those who have been left behind as a result of someone taking their life, to see the kind of support that is available from a staff that cares and a staff that understands, and other people that have been through those same circumstances."

He added: "I think this is vital work that is being carried out by this organisation and requires all the support that government can give."

Mr Robinson said organisations that offered support to those at risk of suicide or affected by it should not be targeted in any forthcoming government cuts.

The First Minister said: "I think that if we talk in terms of safeguarding frontline services, you don't get more frontline than this."