DUP leader Peter Robinson resumed his role as Northern Ireland’s First Minister tonight after saying he had been cleared of breaching his code of office over the financial scandal surrounding his wife, Iris.
Mr Robinson, who is currently engaged in crucial talks between the DUP, Sinn Fein and the British and Irish governments at Hillsborough to save the Stormont power-sharing government, stood aside from the First Minister's role on January 11th for up to six weeks at the height of the furore over the BBC Spotlight revelations about his wife's sexual and business affairs. Arlene Foster wss acting First Minister in the interim.
Mr Robinson said in a statement that a legal review had ruled he had not breached his ministerial code over allegations raised in the programme that he should have informed the authorities of his wife’s financial dealings.
"I welcome the QC's detailed advice which follows a thorough and comprehensive examination of all the issues raised in the Spotlight programme that, on the material provided, his considered view was that there were no breaches whatsoever by me of the Ministerial Code, the Ministerial Code of Conduct, the Pledge of Office and the seven principals of public life," he said.
Earlier today, Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward warned that efforts to reach a deal on policing and justice were “on the edge”. As negotiations continued for the ninth day today, Mr Woodward told the House of Commons in London he was hopeful that with “good political will” there could still be a “reasonable” agreement.
But he warned that failure to achieve agreement would put much of the achievements of the peace process at risk.
A deal is expected to cover the devolution of policing and justice powers from Westminster to the Assembly by May, a key republican demand, plus new arrangements on overseeing Orange Order parades.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen and British prime minister Gordon Brown have been on standby since last week to put their seal on a final agreement.
Mr Cowen told the Dáil today the Irish and British governments may have to step in if the parties do not broker a solution. However, he insisted a solution was more likely to succeed if the parties agreement among themselves.
“If, however, that is not possible, the Governments must take on their responsibilities and respond to public opinion with Northern Ireland and the island of Ireland, whereby people want to see the talks concluded successfully, with the institutions they have voted for working as envisaged,” Mr Cowen said in response to a question from Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny.
He said an agreement should clearly set out a basis for equality and partnership with traditions of all sides respected as part and parcel of normalising a society that had been deeply divided.
“The importance of these decisions for the future of Northern Ireland cannot be underestimated. With leadership and courage, they can be achieved. A successful outcome to these talks will leave Northern Ireland better able to overcome divisions and more determined to move forward together, with a greater understanding of what unites its communities.”
Plans to unveil a deal on Monday were scuppered after a significant number of DUP members refused to back the proposals in a private briefing from leader Peter Robinson.
It was claimed that up to 40 per cent of DUP Assembly members refused to back the blueprint, with dissatisfaction over arrangements for overseeing controversial Orange Order parades high on the list of concerns.
But DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds said: “Despite the speculation and innuendo being peddled by unidentified sources and some sections of the media, the DUP Assembly Group has endorsed the work of our negotiating team and has given its unanimous support to the DUP leadership to continue working on the outstanding issues.”
He added: “Peter is a first class unionist leader and enjoys the full support of the party.”
Mr Robinson today resumed his role as Northern Ireland First Minister after stepping down temporarily last month in the aftermath of the financial scandal surrounding his wife Iris.
Additional reporting: PA