The Five Demands

Il Primo Ministro nordirlandese è tornato al lavoro dopo la notizia del tentato suicidio della moglie dopo una relazione extraconiugale

A rivelare il tradimento coniugale è stata la stessa Iris Robinson, in una dichiarazione in cui ha affermato di aver tentato il suicidio dopo aver avuto una breve relazione con un altro uomo.
La reazione di Peter Robinson è stata il perdono, in virtù di un rapporto che dura ormai da 40 anni e dal quale sono nati 3 figli. In un’intervista il Primo Ministro è apparso affranto ed ha confessato che il suo primo istinto è stato quello di porre fine al matrimonio, ma la ragione ha avuto la meglio. Ha appreso la notizia del tradimento il 1 Marzo 2009, notte in cui Iris tentò di togliersi la vita.
La First Lady nordirlandese, recentemente ritiratasi dalla vita politica adducendo problemi di depressione, non ha nascosto una immensa vergogna e imbarazzo per lo sconvolgimento portato nella vita dei suoi cari e di coloro che la circondano, ed ha deciso di esprimere pubbliche scuse nei loro confronti, nella convinzione di essere stata perdonata da Dio.
Peter Robinson ha tenuto a ribadire che il suo ruolo politico non verrà minimamente intaccato dalle vicissitudini coniugali, ed è proprio dall’ambiente politico che sono giunte grandi dimostrazioni di stima, a partire dal vice primo ministro Martin McGuinness, da Nigel Dodds (vice leader del DUP) e dal Segretario di Stato nordirlandese Shaun Woodward che sostiene come a Robinson dovrebbe essere concesso lo spazio per risolvere i propri problemi personali.

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Robinson back to face colleagues
NI First Minister Peter Robinson is back at work at Stormont, just hours after it was revealed his wife tried to kill herself after an affair.
Iris Robinson said in a statement on Wednesday that she had attempted suicide after she had a “brief” relationship with another man.
In an emotional statement, the DUP leader said he would try to save his marriage and would continue in his job.
He is due to meet the Deputy First Minster Martin McGuinness later.
Mrs Robinson, who became the DUP MP for Strangford in 2001, announced in December she was stepping down from politics due to ill health.
The couple were married in 1970 and have three grown-up children.
In an interview on Wednesday, Mr Robinson said he first learned of the affair on 1 March 2009, the night his wife attempted suicide.
The first minister, who appeared close to tears, said he had been “deeply hurt” and that his immediate impulse had been to walk away from the marriage.
‘Ashamed’
However, he said he had set the affair against 40 years of a loving relationship and had forgiven his wife.
Mrs Robinson said in a statement that she was “completely ashamed and deeply embarrassed” by the affair which had “devastated” her life and the lives of those around her.
She said she began the affair while she was supporting a man who had suffered a bereavement.
She said she had also encouraged friends to help him by “providing financial support for a business venture.”
Mrs Robinson used the statement to publicly apologise to her husband, her wider family and friends.
She said she believes she has been forgiven by God.
Mr Robinson insisted that the revelations would not undermine his role as first minister.
The development comes as the power-sharing arrangements in Northern Ireland are under pressure in a dispute over the timing of devolution of policing and justice.
Sinn Fein said the powers should be devolved immediately while the DUP say more must be done to build confidence among the unionist community before devolution happens.
During his interview, Mr Robinson was also asked if his financial affairs were under investigation.
“ Nobody watching the interview by Peter could fail to be moved by the obvious hurt and pain being experienced by the Robinson family ”
Martin McGuinness
In reply he said he had always acted “in the most professional and ethical way.”
He also confirmed he had received a letter from the BBC which he said contained no allegations against him but “asked questions which are easily answered.”
The BBC Spotlight programme has confirmed it has been investigating matters involving Iris Robinson for some time.
In a statement, the BBC added that allegations have been put to the Robinsons and their response is awaited.
Reaction
On Wednesday evening, Mr McGuinness said he wished the Robinsons well.
He said: “Nobody watching the interview by Peter could fail to be moved by the obvious hurt and pain being experienced by the Robinson family.”
And in a statement issued on behalf of the DUP, deputy leader Nigel Dodds said that supporters of the party were “deeply moved” by Mr Robinson’s interview.
He added: “On behalf of the members of the DUP, I want to extend to Peter and the Robinson family our heartfelt prayers and support at this incredibly difficult time.”
Secretary of State Shaun Woodward said the Robinsons should be given space to deal with their issues. He also welcomed Mr Robinson’s pledge to return to work.
Meanwhile on Thursday, the leading gay rights activist Peter Tatchell said he was sorry for Iris Robinson but regarded her as a hypocrite.
In a posting on his twitter page, Mr Tatchell added “even now, she expresses no regret for her two-faced homophobia”.
In June 2008, Mrs Robinson became embroiled in a major controversy over her beliefs about homosexuality.
Speaking on a BBC radio programme she described homosexuality as an “abomination” and that with help, gay people could be “turned around”.