Larne DUP faithful back beleaguered leader Robinson

The party leader stood down temporarily from the top job at Stormont on Monday, saying he needed time to clear his name following allegations made in last Thursday’s shocking BBC Spotlight programme.

Mr Robinson’s wife Iris, the 60-year-old Strangford MP who has already resigned her Assembly seat, admitted ahead of the documentary that she had an affair with Kirk McCambley two years ago, when he was 19.

Spotlight alleged Mrs Robinson, who tried to take her own life over the affair, failed to declare 50,000 she received from developers to set her lover up in businesses and Mr Robinson has strenuously denied claims that he knew of the financial irregularities and that he failed to inform the authorities.

As speculation mounts over Mr Robinson’s political future in the wake of the scandal, supporters in Larne have rallied behind him.

The mayor, Cllr Bobby McKee, said: “I was shocked by the revelations of the past week, like everybody else, and I am disappointed that it got to this stage, but my support remains with the First Minister who I believe should be given time to come to terms with the awful situation that he and his family find themselves in.”

Leader of the DUP grouping on Larne Borough Council, Winston Fulton, said the whole party had been “shocked” by events.

“I don’t know any more about it than I have seen on TV and read in the newspapers,” said the DUP executive delegate, “but it appears to me that Peter has been doing his utmost in very trying circumstances and the whole party is behind him.”

Cllr Fulton added: “There is no doubt that he has taken the party from strength to strength over many years as deputy leader and then as leader and First Minister. I feel confident that he will clear his name and I feel that he should be given the opportunity to do so.”