Peter Robinson returns as NI first minister
Peter Robinson returns as NI first minister
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By Matt Hallam. |  |
Thursday, 04, Feb 2010 12:31
By Richard James.
Peter Robinson has returned to work as Northern Ireland's first minister after taking time out to deal with the scandal involving his wife's affair with a teenager.
The DUP leader announced in January he would be temporarily standing down to cope with the fallout from the media interest into his private life.
A BBC Spotlight programme alleged Mr Robinson had failed to reveal his wife Iris' financial dealings.
It was claimed Mrs Robinson had obtained £500,000 from two developers for her then 19-year-old lover Kirk McCambley to set up a café and had failed to register the money.
Mr Robinson has continually claimed he acted properly over the incident, rejecting the claims he had breached ministerial code in not reporting the financial dealings.
He announced on January 11th he would be stepping aside and enterprise minister Arlene Foster would temporarily take charge.
The DUP leader declared in a recent statement that he has since received legal advice which he claims indicates he acted properly.
"I am... glad that at this critical time I can resume fully the functions of my office with confidence," he said.
Mr Robinson's return to work comes as relations in Stormont continue to be strained over the plans to devolve policing and justice powers.