Iris Robinson Getting Psychiatric Help
There has been a lot of speculation over where Iris Robinson, the wife of Norethern Ireland’s First Minister Peter Robinson, has been recently. She has quit her MP position after confessing to an affair with a (at the time) 19-year-old. Mr Robinson has squashed rumors of her whereabouts and health, saying that she is getting acute psychiatric treatment at Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.
Since the scandal was reveled to the public, many don’t think Mr Robinson still has authority. Former First Minister Lord Trimble claimed he has lost his authority due to the affair’s exposure and has called on him to resign. He claims that someone who expels his wife without giving her a soft landing or any hint of due process is without authority in his own organization. Lord Trimble expects that he will step down from his position in only a matter of days.
Northern Ireland Secretary Shaun Woodward has voiced concern that, if Robinson was to resign, an early Assembly election would be triggered. However, Sammy Wilson, DUP Finance Minister, is insisting he still commands support. He says that Robinson has support as far as he is concerned, and the stories about Iris don’t cast doubt on his authority.
Robinson is definitely feeling pressure to step down since the announcement just last week. Mrs Robinson said over Christmas that she was quitting due to severe depression, but the affair was just revealed. During the “relationship”, she raised £50,000 for her lover, Kirk McCambley, to set up a business. More alleged details have been revealed to the public, but they haven’t been confirmed.