Iris 'Broke Law' In Business Affair

Iris Robinson has been accused of failing to declare donations used to set-up a business owned by her lover.

Mrs Robinson, the wife of First Minister Peter Robinson, is said to have obtained £50,000 from two local property developers to support a café run by 19-year-old Kirk McCambley.

The Strangford MP and MLA sat on Castlereagh Council which awarded the lease on the Lock Keeper's Inn in south Belfast.

The monies given to Mrs Robinson was subsequently paid to Mr McCambley, according to a BBC investigation broadcast last night on 'Spotlight'.

Mrs Robinson, whose affair became public this week, resigned from political life in December.

A written statement released on Wednesday revealed Mrs Robinson had attempted to take her own life after family members learned of the extramarital relationship last March.

The outspoken born-again Christian has been battling depression for some time.

Mr Robinson, the Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, made an emotional TV appearance two days ago, vowing to stand by his wife and continue in political office.

Mrs Robinson has not commented on the specifics of last night's BBC revelations citing health reasons.

The report claimed Mr Robinson was aware of the monies his wife received.

Today he said: "While I have learned from Spotlight for the first time some alleged aspects of my wife's affair and her financial arrangements, I will be resolutely defending attacks on my character and contesting any allegations of wrongdoing."

BBC Spotlight's report centred on material provided by Selwyn Black, a former adviser to Mrs Robinson.

He had amassed over 150 text message sent to him by his employer over a two-year period.

Mrs Robinson's sexual relationship with Mr McCambley, now 21, was said to have begun in summer 2008.

She told Mr Black she intended to help her lover set up a business.

Mr McCambley assembled a business plan to secure the tenancy of the Castlereagh council-backed visitors centre café on the banks of the Lagan.

He was the only applicant who met the criteria, and was awarded the lease.

According to the BBC, Mrs Robinson obtained £25,000 each from developers Fred Fraser, now deceased, and Ken Campbell.

Mr McCambley said the two cheques were used to set-up his business, and he alleged that Mrs Robinson took back £5,000 in cash for herself.

The revelations indicate that Mrs Robinson may have broken the law by failing to declare the £50,000 'gift' as such a move would breach the political code of conduct for councillors, infringing on at least five sections of the rules.

As a Member of Parliament and Assemblywoman, she was also obliged to publish the monies obtained.

After her relationship with Mr McCambley ended, Mrs Robinson allegedly urged him to pay back the funds.

The programme makers then alleged Mr Robinson was aware of his wife's financial dealing.

His lawyers have insisted he was not involved in any wrongdoing.

Despite this, the BBC said that the First Minister was legally bound to tell the proper authorities what he knew about the transaction under the ministerial code.

The DUP released a brief statement after the programme which read: "Following allegations made about Peter Robinson in the BBC's Spotlight programme on Thursday 7 January 2010, Mr Robinson will be consulting his legal team on Friday."

(PR/BMcC)