Iris Robinson scandal
Encyclopedia
The Iris Robinson scandal, also known as Irisgate, was a political scandal in Northern Ireland
which came to light in early January 2010. In a televised interview on 6 January Peter Robinson
, Northern Ireland's
First Minister
, revealed that his wife Iris Robinson
, had an affair
in 2008 and attempted suicide on 1 March 2009 while being a serving MP
and MLA
.
Spotlight programme on 8 January, the First Minister faced demands to explain his role in his wife's financial dealings, including from within his own party. The Spotlight investigation revealed that Iris Robinson had procured two loans totalling £50,000 for her then 19-year-old lover Kirk McCambley to assist him in opening a restaurant. The loans were made by local property developers Fred Fraser (who died weeks later) and Ken Campbell. Iris Robinson did not declare the loan to the Northern Ireland Assembly, and McCambley gave £5,000 back to Iris Robinson as a gift to pay off her own debts. In the interview with Spotlight, McCambley alleged that Iris requested the money rather than it being a spontaneous gift. The restaurant in question, the Lock Keeper's Inn in South Belfast
, is owned by Castlereagh Borough Council. McCambley was awarded the tender to operate the restaurant in 2008. Despite being a Castlereagh Borough councillor, Iris Robinson failed to declare her financial interest in the award of the tender. Selwyn Black, Iris Robinson's former adviser, has alleged that she encouraged McCambley to bid for the tender.
The Canadian crime writer Peter Robinson
was notably mistaken for the other Peter Robinson during this scandal. He received angry e-mails, saying his wife was "homophobic", and he quipped on his website under the title "I’m Not That Peter Robinson", "I guess people who send rude and insulting emails or push religion at the vulnerable were not, alas, at the front of the queue when the brains were handed out".
was nominated as his replacement.
Peter Robinson is facing a claim that he knew his wife obtained £50,000 from two developers for her teenage lover but did not tell the proper authorities. He returned to his position after three weeks.
On 11 January 2010 Peter Robinson confirmed that he had asked both the House of Commons and the Northern Ireland Assembly
to carry out an inquiry into his conduct. Several other inquiries are or will be carried out. Castlereagh (borough) have launched an inquiry, while the Castlereagh Alliance Party
has written to the Northern Ireland Comptroller and Auditor General calling for an inquiry.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland
announced on 21 January 2010 that it was conducting an investigation into Iris Robinson's financial affairs. Robinson had been receiving psychiatric treatment in a London clinic since January 2010 but returned to Northern Ireland on 19 September 2010 where she continues her treatment.
On 25 June 2010, it became public that Robinson had been interviewed as part of a police investigation over money she obtained from two developers.
On 26 May 2011, the DUP announced that an independent investigation has cleared Iris Robinson of any wrongdoing in connection with the awarding of a contract by Castlereagh council to her former teenage lover.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
which came to light in early January 2010. In a televised interview on 6 January Peter Robinson
Peter Robinson (politician)
Peter David Robinson is the current First Minister of Northern Ireland and leader of the Democratic Unionist Party...
, Northern Ireland's
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
First Minister
First Minister and deputy First Minister
The First Minister and the Deputy First Minister , sometimes abbreviated to FM/DFM, are positions in the Northern Ireland...
, revealed that his wife Iris Robinson
Iris Robinson
Iris Robinson is a former Northern Ireland Unionist politician. She is married to Peter Robinson, who is currently the First Minister in the Northern Ireland Assembly....
, had an affair
Extramarital sex
Extramarital sex occurs when a married person engages in sexual activity with someone other than his or her marriage partner.Where extramarital sexual relations breach a sexual norm it may also be referred to as adultery, fornication, philandery, or infidelity...
in 2008 and attempted suicide on 1 March 2009 while being a serving MP
Parliament of the United Kingdom
The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom, British Crown dependencies and British overseas territories, located in London...
and MLA
Member of the Legislative Assembly (Northern Ireland)
Member of the Legislative Assembly is a representative elected by the voters to the Northern Ireland Assembly in Northern Ireland.- About :...
.
BBC Spotlight
Following the airing of an episode of BBC Northern Ireland'sBBC Northern Ireland
BBC Northern Ireland is the main public service broadcaster in Northern Ireland.The organisation is one of the three national regions of the BBC, together with BBC Scotland and BBC Wales. Based at Broadcasting House, Belfast, it provides television, radio, online and interactive television content...
Spotlight programme on 8 January, the First Minister faced demands to explain his role in his wife's financial dealings, including from within his own party. The Spotlight investigation revealed that Iris Robinson had procured two loans totalling £50,000 for her then 19-year-old lover Kirk McCambley to assist him in opening a restaurant. The loans were made by local property developers Fred Fraser (who died weeks later) and Ken Campbell. Iris Robinson did not declare the loan to the Northern Ireland Assembly, and McCambley gave £5,000 back to Iris Robinson as a gift to pay off her own debts. In the interview with Spotlight, McCambley alleged that Iris requested the money rather than it being a spontaneous gift. The restaurant in question, the Lock Keeper's Inn in South Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, is owned by Castlereagh Borough Council. McCambley was awarded the tender to operate the restaurant in 2008. Despite being a Castlereagh Borough councillor, Iris Robinson failed to declare her financial interest in the award of the tender. Selwyn Black, Iris Robinson's former adviser, has alleged that she encouraged McCambley to bid for the tender.
The Canadian crime writer Peter Robinson
Peter Robinson (novelist)
Dr. Peter Robinson is an English crime writer, based in Canada. He is best known for his crime novels set in Yorkshire featuring Inspector Alan Banks...
was notably mistaken for the other Peter Robinson during this scandal. He received angry e-mails, saying his wife was "homophobic", and he quipped on his website under the title "I’m Not That Peter Robinson", "I guess people who send rude and insulting emails or push religion at the vulnerable were not, alas, at the front of the queue when the brains were handed out".
First Minister steps down
On 11 January 2010, Peter Robinson announced that he was stepping down from the position of First Minister for a period of six weeks to fight claims over his wife's financial dealings. Arlene FosterArlene Foster
Arlene Isabel Foster is a politician in Northern Ireland. She is one of two Democratic Unionist Party MLAs representing the Fermanagh and South Tyrone constituency in the Northern Ireland Assembly. She became Minister of the Environment on 8 May 2009 and was subsequently reshuffled into the...
was nominated as his replacement.
Peter Robinson is facing a claim that he knew his wife obtained £50,000 from two developers for her teenage lover but did not tell the proper authorities. He returned to his position after three weeks.
Inquiries
Peter Robinson has said that he will contest the allegations that he failed to properly report these transactions. He claimed to have no knowledge of them "I had no information," he said. "Absolutely no information about that, nor of any of the other financial arrangements, which is hardly surprising – if somebody is hiding an affair from you, it’s probably not a surprise they are hiding the other arrangements relating to that affair."On 11 January 2010 Peter Robinson confirmed that he had asked both the House of Commons and the Northern Ireland Assembly
Northern Ireland Assembly
The Northern Ireland Assembly is the devolved legislature of Northern Ireland. It has power to legislate in a wide range of areas that are not explicitly reserved to the Parliament of the United Kingdom, and to appoint the Northern Ireland Executive...
to carry out an inquiry into his conduct. Several other inquiries are or will be carried out. Castlereagh (borough) have launched an inquiry, while the Castlereagh Alliance Party
Alliance Party of Northern Ireland
The Alliance Party of Northern Ireland is a liberal and nonsectarian political party in Northern Ireland. It is Northern Ireland's fifth-largest party overall, with eight seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly and one in the House of Commons....
has written to the Northern Ireland Comptroller and Auditor General calling for an inquiry.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland
Police Service of Northern Ireland
The Police Service of Northern Ireland is the police force that serves Northern Ireland. It is the successor to the Royal Ulster Constabulary which, in turn, was the successor to the Royal Irish Constabulary in Northern Ireland....
announced on 21 January 2010 that it was conducting an investigation into Iris Robinson's financial affairs. Robinson had been receiving psychiatric treatment in a London clinic since January 2010 but returned to Northern Ireland on 19 September 2010 where she continues her treatment.
On 25 June 2010, it became public that Robinson had been interviewed as part of a police investigation over money she obtained from two developers.
On 26 May 2011, the DUP announced that an independent investigation has cleared Iris Robinson of any wrongdoing in connection with the awarding of a contract by Castlereagh council to her former teenage lover.
Timeline
- 26 February 2008: Kirk McCambley's father, Billy, dies. Billy was a close friend of Iris Robinson and she had known Kirk from childhood.
- Summer 2008: A sexual relationship has developed between Mrs Robinson (then 59) and McCambley (then 19).
- June 2008: Mrs Robinson obtains two loans, worth GB£25,000 each, from property developers Fred Fraser and Ken Campbell to fund a café business by McCambley. The café is to be in a property owned by Castlereagh (borough), on which Mrs Robinson is a councillor. McCambley later states that Mrs Robinson asked him to give her £5,000 of the money. Mrs Robinson illegally fails to declare the financial dealings to the Northern Ireland Assembly or the House of Commons.
- 28 August 2008: Castlereagh (borough) agree McCambley's café tenancy. Mrs Robinson is in attendance, but fails to declare her interest.
- Autumn 2008: Relationship between Mrs Robinson and McCambley ends. Mrs Robinson asks him to return the money.
- 24 December 2008: Mrs Robinson, in a text message to her aide Selwyn Black, says she seeks cheques from McCambley, to be paid to her and to her church.
- 1 January 2009: In another text to Black, Mrs Robinson says she will be repaying Ken Campbell, but not Fred Fraser, who has died by this time.
- 6 January 2009: At Mr Robinson's prompting (according to Black), Mrs Robinson now says that all the money will be returned.
- 1 March 2009: Mr Robinson discovers the affair.
- 2 March 2009: Mrs Robinson attempts suicide.
- 30 December 2009: Mrs Robinson announces that she is to retire from politics due to mental illness.
- 7 January 2010: A BBC Northern IrelandBBC Northern IrelandBBC Northern Ireland is the main public service broadcaster in Northern Ireland.The organisation is one of the three national regions of the BBC, together with BBC Scotland and BBC Wales. Based at Broadcasting House, Belfast, it provides television, radio, online and interactive television content...
programme makes allegations about the financial misdealings and reveals McCambley's identity. - 11 January 2010: Mr Robinson announces that he is temporarily standing down as First Minister.
- 13 January 2010: A journalist and a second man are arrested at McCambley's house. Mrs Robinson formally ceases to be an MP; the DUP say they will not be seeking a by-election before the next General Election. Her resignation from the Northern Ireland Assembly is expected to be formalised on 18 January.
- 22 January 2010: Under new rules, the DUP have been able to nominate Jonathan BellJonathan Bell (UK politician)Jonathan Fergus Bell MLA is a Democratic Unionist Party politician in Northern Ireland. He was selected in 2010 to fill the vacancy for the Strangford constituency of the Northern Ireland Assembly following the resignation of Iris Robinson...
as a replacement MLA.