Sex, money, and bigotry: meet the Robinsons

[muriel_volestrangler]

Source: The Independent

Northern Ireland’s formidable First Minister has suddenly been made to look vulnerable by a series of revelations about his private life. By David McKittrick

Peter Robinson concentrates on being First Minister in the Northern Ireland government, having abandoned the rhetoric of a lifetime to work alongside Sinn Fein ministers he denounced for decades as terrorists and gunmen.

His wife Iris, meanwhile, has majored in the politics of old-time religion, declaring that a government has a responsibility "to uphold God's law morally" and branding homosexuality as a sin. That last comment caused gay groups to call her "UK Bigot of the Year" and the "wicked witch of the north".

But on Wednesday, Peter made the dramatic and emotional announcement that his wife had attempted to kill herself after indulging in an affair with another man. And last night a BBC report claimed that Iris had broken the law by not declaring a financial interest in a business deal. It is alleged that she obtained £50,000 from two property developers which was then paid to her young lover to help him set up a cafe.

Read more: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/sex-money-and-bigotry-meet-the-robinsons-1861110.html

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BBC story:

Iris Robinson business deal broke law

The money was paid to her 19-year-old lover to help him launch a cafe. She later asked him for £5,000 for herself.
...
She obtained a total of £50,000 from two developers, Fred Fraser, now deceased, and Ken Campbell to fund the project.

Spotlight reported that while 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.
...
Some time later, Mrs Robinson's relationship with Mr McCambley ended. At some point afterwards, she decided that he should pay back the money that had been given to him.

Mrs Robinson told Mr McCambley that half the money should be paid to her and the other half to a church in east Belfast where her husband's sister worked as a pastor.
...
When Peter Robinson found out about his wife's financial dealings, he insisted that the money should be returned.

However he did not tell the proper authorities what he knew about the transaction despite being obliged by the ministerial code to act in the public interest at all times.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/8447383.stm

She's deep in it, and had already announced she wasn't going to stand for office again. But when the BBC states as a straight fact "she broke the law", you can be sure they're totally confident of the evidence. Peter Robinson can at least point out he told his wife the money was meant to go back to the developers, not to her; but the fact that he covered it up, and was meant to declare business dealings of his wife like this, may well hurt him. So far this morning, he's claiming he's done nothing wrong, and she's still saying she's 'too ill' to give any response.

[dipsydoodle]

1. n,n,n,n nineteen

:rofl:

[freeplessinseattle]

3. Not quite the Mrs. Robinson of musical lore

she and her husband have been together nearly 40 years, so she must be around 60. But w already knew she was delusional.

Wouldn't it be hilarious if it turns out her lover is actually gay and it was all a sweet revenge plot by the gay community?:)

[katkat]

5. gay son?

See one of the articles...

[Betty Karlson]

2. And the Robinsons' biggest problem right now?

- The Paisleys.

Ian Paisley is still sulking that he could not transfer his authorities onto both of his sons. His youngest is still making a career in the Free Presbyterian Church, but the eldest found Peter Robinson on his way - as well as sudden accusations of corruption (who might have leaked those?) - when he tried to become the next leader of North-Ireland's biggest party.

So I guess that the former prime-minister and his wife, a member of the House of Lords, will launch a campaign to unseat Mr. Robinson.

Incidentally, did not one of Blair's negotiators in North-Ireland already comment that money was the only means by which both DUP and Sein Fein could be persuaded to tolerate each others?

And as an afterthought: why do corrupt politicians have a penchant for homophobia? Anyone ready to venture a guess?

[katkat]

4. well, as long as it was brief and had no emotional or lasting meaning

"And last night a BBC report claimed that Iris had broken the law by not declaring a financial interest in a business deal. It is alleged that she obtained £50,000 from two property developers which was then paid to her young lover to help him set up a cafe...She explained: "I encouraged friends to assist him by providing financial support for a business venture. Regrettably, the relationship later developed into a brief affair. It had no emotional or lasting meaning."


Alrighty, then. :sarcasm:

[denem]

6. We'd like to know a little bit about you for our files.

It's a little secret, just the Robinsons' affair
Most of all, you've got to hide it from the kids...

Coo, coo, ca-choo, Mrs Robinson

[Doctor_J]

7. The louder and longer a person decries someone else's morals...

the more likely it is that (s)he is a crook, adulterer, or member of the same group (s)he publicly denounces.

[dipsydoodle]

8. Pickfords strikes again

Could have worse I suppose - could've been moved to the humour section.