Robinson resumes First Minister role

PETER Robinson has resumed his role as Northern Ireland's First Minister, saying he had been cleared of breaching his code of office over the financial scandal surrounding his wife Iris.

By The Newsroom

Published 4th Feb 2010, 10:55 BST

Updated 4th Feb 2010, 10:55 BST

DUP leader Mr Robinson, who is locked in talks to save the Stormont power-sharing government, stepped down temporarily last month after revelations Mrs Robinson secured 50,000 to set her teenage lover up in business.

But last night he said a legal review had ruled he had not breached his ministerial code over allegations raised in a BBC programme that he should have informed the authorities of his wife's financial dealings.

Confirming that he was replacing temporary First Minister Arlene Foster, he said: "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."