First Minister's wife 'in 24-hour care' out in London

A Sunday newspaper published photographs of the former MP strolling in the city, reportedly without her wedding ring, despite the fact her relatives said she was being treated in Belfast for psychiatric difficulties and had been on 24-hour suicide watch.

Earlier this year it was revealed she had an affair with toyboy Kirk McCambley, young enough to be the 60-year-old's grandson, and had lent him 50,000 borrowed from two developers to help him open a caf in south Belfast.

A family statement said the attention on Mrs Robinson would have a serious impact on her recovery.

"Now she can no longer follow the rehabilitation programme and will probably have to move to another hospital to get away from the cruel, callous and relentless gaze of the Press," it said.

"The newspaper seems to question that Iris was on suicide watch. The hospital and the senior psychiatrist have confirmed that for over a week and periodically since then she has required such attention."

The statement said she continues to receive treatment through the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust. However the Sunday World claimed she was in a London clinic favoured by some of the UK's top celebrity stars.

The family statement said today: "We have no doubt about the desire of certain elements of the Press and media to pursue Iris to the grave and this is yet another attempt to jeopardise any chance of her recovery.

"This type of Press sensationalisation always results in a very adverse reaction to her health."

The revelations followed a difficult week for her First Minister husband Peter Robinson, who is under intense scrutiny after buying a strip of land near his east Belfast home for 5 which allegedly helped unlock a redevelopment deal using part of his garden which netted him about 460,000.

However, he branded several political rivals "liars" in an interview on Friday. The Ulster Unionist Party has called for his resignation.