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14/01/2010
McCambley Deal Inquiry Approved
Castlereagh Council has unanimously backed an external probe surrounding its decision to grant Iris Robinson's former lover a business lease.
Borough councillors last night voted to appoint a team of as yet unspecified investigators.
The inquiry will look into the council's decision to award the lease of a small business in south Belfast to Mrs Robinson's then lover, Kirk McCambley.
Councillors said they wanted to unearth whether the authority had suffered financial loss as a result of Mr McCambley (pictured) securing the Lock Keeper's Inn café.
Mrs Robinson is alleged to have obtained donations from two developers to support the venture.
She sat in the council chamber when the lease was granted to Mr McCambley, having failed to declare an interest in the matter.
Council officers and members will also come under scrutiny in the inquiry, which will determine if all those concerned had acted properly and in line with local government legislation.
The decision to agree the terms of reference was endorsed unanimously by councillors at Wednesday night's meeting.
An estimated timescale for the investigation, and the external team tasked with undertaking the probe, will be announced soon.
Meanwhile, Mrs Robinson was formally relieved of her duties as an MP yesterday.
Chancellor Alistair Darling confirmed the former Strangford parliamentarian had been appointed to a ceremonial role, which provides MPs a means to resign.
She also stood down as an Assembly member and a Castlereagh Council Alderman, having being ousted from the DUP last Saturday.
In December Mrs Robinson announced she would withdraw from public life for health reasons.
Last week, prior to the broadcast of a BBC Spotlight programme, First Minister Peter Robinson revealed his wife had conducted an extramarital affair, then subsequently attempted to take her own life.
A separate statement from Mrs Robinson acknowledged the revelations, blaming mental health issues for her behaviour.
Spotlight later alleged Mrs Robinson had obtained £50,000 from two developers to help establish the then 19-year-old Mr McCambley's cafe.
Two cheques for £25,000 each were wrote out to Mr McCambley by Ken Campbell and now deceased Fred Fraser.
It is alleged Mrs Robinson asked Mr McCambley for £5,000 in cash, and later demanded he pay back all the money to the developers.
According to Spotlight, in autumn 2008 Mr McCambley was found to be the only applicant who met Castlereagh Borough Council's tender criteria for the business.
(PR/GK)
Borough councillors last night voted to appoint a team of as yet unspecified investigators.
The inquiry will look into the council's decision to award the lease of a small business in south Belfast to Mrs Robinson's then lover, Kirk McCambley.
Councillors said they wanted to unearth whether the authority had suffered financial loss as a result of Mr McCambley (pictured) securing the Lock Keeper's Inn café.
Mrs Robinson is alleged to have obtained donations from two developers to support the venture.
She sat in the council chamber when the lease was granted to Mr McCambley, having failed to declare an interest in the matter.
Council officers and members will also come under scrutiny in the inquiry, which will determine if all those concerned had acted properly and in line with local government legislation.
The decision to agree the terms of reference was endorsed unanimously by councillors at Wednesday night's meeting.
An estimated timescale for the investigation, and the external team tasked with undertaking the probe, will be announced soon.
Meanwhile, Mrs Robinson was formally relieved of her duties as an MP yesterday.
Chancellor Alistair Darling confirmed the former Strangford parliamentarian had been appointed to a ceremonial role, which provides MPs a means to resign.
She also stood down as an Assembly member and a Castlereagh Council Alderman, having being ousted from the DUP last Saturday.
In December Mrs Robinson announced she would withdraw from public life for health reasons.
Last week, prior to the broadcast of a BBC Spotlight programme, First Minister Peter Robinson revealed his wife had conducted an extramarital affair, then subsequently attempted to take her own life.
A separate statement from Mrs Robinson acknowledged the revelations, blaming mental health issues for her behaviour.
Spotlight later alleged Mrs Robinson had obtained £50,000 from two developers to help establish the then 19-year-old Mr McCambley's cafe.
Two cheques for £25,000 each were wrote out to Mr McCambley by Ken Campbell and now deceased Fred Fraser.
It is alleged Mrs Robinson asked Mr McCambley for £5,000 in cash, and later demanded he pay back all the money to the developers.
According to Spotlight, in autumn 2008 Mr McCambley was found to be the only applicant who met Castlereagh Borough Council's tender criteria for the business.
(PR/GK)
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08 January 2010
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.
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.
13 January 2010
Robinson Prompts Council Inquiry
Members of Castlereagh Council will outline the terms of an inquiry into allegations over financial dealings by Iris Robinson later. Mrs Robinson, a borough Alderman, (pictured here with her husband 'former' NI First Minister, Peter) is accused of accepting donations without reporting them to the correct authorities.
Robinson Prompts Council Inquiry
Members of Castlereagh Council will outline the terms of an inquiry into allegations over financial dealings by Iris Robinson later. Mrs Robinson, a borough Alderman, (pictured here with her husband 'former' NI First Minister, Peter) is accused of accepting donations without reporting them to the correct authorities.
27 January 2004
Unionists are uniting around the DUP, claims Iris Robinson
The DUP has responded to a call for unionist unity by UUP MLA David McNarry claiming that unionism is uniting - around the DUP. Strangford DUP MLA Iris Robinson said: "Unionists are uniting around the position and policies of the Democratic Unionist Party.
Unionists are uniting around the DUP, claims Iris Robinson
The DUP has responded to a call for unionist unity by UUP MLA David McNarry claiming that unionism is uniting - around the DUP. Strangford DUP MLA Iris Robinson said: "Unionists are uniting around the position and policies of the Democratic Unionist Party.
28 November 2014
Iris Robinson Committed 'Serious Breach'
An investigation has found Irish Robinson committed a "serious breach" of the Northern Ireland Assembly's code of conduct. The report, compiled by the assembly's Committee on Standards and Privileges, follows a BBC Spotlight investigation four years ago.
Iris Robinson Committed 'Serious Breach'
An investigation has found Irish Robinson committed a "serious breach" of the Northern Ireland Assembly's code of conduct. The report, compiled by the assembly's Committee on Standards and Privileges, follows a BBC Spotlight investigation four years ago.
31 March 2010
Land Deal Questions For Robinsons
Democratic Unionist spin doctors last night scrambled to quash questions raised by the BBC over a land deal involving First Minister Peter Robinson. The report revealed Mr Robinson and his wife Iris (pictured) purchased a small parchment of land close to their home in 2006 from developer Fred Fraser, who is now deceased.
Land Deal Questions For Robinsons
Democratic Unionist spin doctors last night scrambled to quash questions raised by the BBC over a land deal involving First Minister Peter Robinson. The report revealed Mr Robinson and his wife Iris (pictured) purchased a small parchment of land close to their home in 2006 from developer Fred Fraser, who is now deceased.
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