SHAUN WOODWARD: PRIORITA’ AL PROCESSO POLITICO IN CORSO
Il Segretario di Stato nordirlandese afferma che Peter Robinson deve continuare il suo lavoro
Shaun Woodward, Segretario di Stato dell’Irlanda del Nord, sposta l’attenzione da Peter Robinson per portarla sull’attuale processo politico in corso, sulla devolution.
Invitando a lasciare al Primo Ministro l’opportunità di risolvere la ‘tragedia’, familiare e personale, privatamente, insiste che il cammino verso la devolution ‘è più grande di un uomo’ e si appella alla responsabilità dei membri dell’Assembly perchè non lascino cadere in rovina il processo tutt’ora in corso. Potrebbe rivelarsi un gioco molto pericolo che potrebbe avere gravi conseguenze su ampia scala.
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Robinson’s position ‘untenable’ (BBC News Northern Ireland)
A close friend of ex-DUP leader Ian Paisley has repeated his view that Peter Robinson’s position as Northern Ireland first minister is “untenable”.
Free Presbyterian minister David McIlveen stressed that his opinion was not that of Mr Paisley.
His church has also said he is not speaking on their behalf.
“He has a problem with solving his family difficulties and I cannot take the view a person’s private life does not affect their public life,” he said.
“Judgments that we make in private will undoubtedly influence our judgments in public.”
“I am only reflecting my opinion, an opinion I believe is reflected by many people throughout Northern Ireland.
“I do believe that one of the great bonds between a politician and the people is a bond of trust.
“Once that trust is broken, it is very, very difficult to recover that.”
On Saturday, Secretary of State Shaun Woodward warned Northern Ireland’s politicians not to allow the crisis surrounding the future of Mr Robinson to derail devolution.
Mr Woodward said all parties had to ensure political progress did not move backwards.
“It is a responsibility on everyone in the assembly to understand that the consequences of allowing the political process to slide would undoubtedly have an impact on the broader canvas,” Mr Woodward said.
“And that if anybody were to be selfish enough to think this is a moment when that can be allowed to be put in the deep freeze, even some may wish to unpick, they would be extremely irresponsible, foolish and would be playing very, very dangerous games.”
Sinn Fein has said it intends to table an emergency motion in the assembly on Monday asking Mr Robinson to answer questions about the recent allegations against him.
Investigation
The party has said it wants to find out if there are any implications for the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister arising from the BBC Spotlight programme.
Earlier this week, the BBC alleged Mr Robinson did not tell the authorities his wife failed to register £50,000 she obtained from two property developers.
He has asked officials at the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister to investigate his conduct.
On Friday, Mr Robinson said he believed he had not done anything wrong.
However, he added that he would “not be slow” in taking a decision if the investigation found that he should have acted differently.
On Saturday, DUP sources confirmed that Mrs Robinson was stepping down as an MP and MLA and was also leaving the party.
She could leave both her posts as early as next week.
The Spotlight programme said Mrs Robinson had obtained the money from two property developers, which was paid to her 19-year-old lover, Kirk McCambley, to help him launch a cafe.
It said the DUP leader had known about her financial dealings, but did not tell the proper authorities despite being obliged by the ministerial code to act in the public interest at all times.
The financial allegations followed a public admission by Mr Robinson that his wife had attempted suicide after her affair.
It is understood the party will appoint someone to replace Mrs Robinson as an MLA as soon as possible.
There will not be a by-election for her Westminster seat because a general election is likely to be held before a formal writ can be moved.
A party source said the next few days were “absolutely critical for the party”.
“We wanted to show people we were acting decisively. There was no question about it, she had to go and go now,” they said.
“There was absolutely no sympathy for the position she found herself in.”
Mrs Robinson represents the Strangford constituency in County Down both at Westminster and at the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Last month, she issued a statement saying she was leaving politics due to ill health, however, news that she was stepping down came earlier than expected.
The Robinsons were married in 1970 and have three grown-up children.
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