Robinson back as First Minister
DUP leader Peter Robinson has resumed his role as First Minister, he said in a statement.
Mr Robinson said he had been cleared of breaching his code of office over the financial scandal surrounding his wife, Iris.
He said he had informed Assembly speaker William Hay of his decision to resume his functions, after receiving legal advice from barrister Paul Maguire QC, a senior Crown counsel, who had been appointed to advise on allegations of misconduct.
“His advice supports my consistent contention that I have acted at all times properly and in full compliance with my public duties,” Mr Robinson said.
“I am therefore glad that at this critical time I can resume fully the functions of my office with confidence. I will now move forward to the next stages of this process which I believe will also vindicate me.”
Enterprise minister Arlene Foster temporarily took on the functions of First Minister, after Mr Robinson stepped aside last month in a bid to clear his name and care for his family, in the wake of the scandal surrounding his wife’s personal and financial affairs.
The first couple were plunged into crisis after BBC Spotlight revealed that Mrs Robinson had secured £50,000 from two wealthy developers to help her then 19-year-old lover Kirk McCambley set up a restaurant business in south Belfast.
Mr Robinson vehemently denied any knowledge of his wife’s irregular financial affairs.
The announcement comes amid mounting speculation that the outcome of the ongoing policing talks will depend on a crunch meeting of the DUP’s assembly team.
Earlier this week, the under-pressure DUP leader was said to be struggling to convince his party to back a deal on the devolution of policing and justice and parades.
On Tuesday, the DUP denied there was any split within the party ranks, despite reports that 14 MLAs opposed the proposed deal put forward by Peter Robinson.
Iris Robinson stood down as an MLA, MP and councilor following the scandal and is currently under criminal investigation. Last month, Mr Robinson said she was receiving “acute psychiatric treatment” from the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.
