New council must repair 'Robinson affair damage' says former Mayor

Castlereagh Council met this week to decide on the terms of its inquiry into the conduct of Mrs Robinson, who is a councillor, MP and MLA, after she got loans from two property developers to help her 19-year-old lover Kirk McCambley open a cafe which was being leased by the council at the Lock Keeper's Cottage near Shawsbridge.

She then attended the council meeting during which the cafe lease was awarded to Mr McCambley but did not declare her financial interest.

Speaking as the storm continued around the affair and the decision by Mrs Robinson's husband Peter to temporarily step aside as First Minister, Mr Crawford said the 'Robinson brand' had been diluted.

"This is a great family tragedy and all the Robinsons' power, wealth and fame has ended in dust," said Mr Crawford. "This goes to emphasise the perils of double and treble jobbing and its effects on family life. My sympathies at the moment are with Mrs Robinson and I wish her a full and speedy recovery.

"One benefit to the new Lisburn/Castlereagh council will be the fact that the Robinson brand has been diluted. Castlereagh Council has been run for the benefit of the DUP and all other parties have been excluded from holding the role of mayor.

"The tragic events in the past week may well enhance the prospect of a more evenly balanced new council," he added.

"On a practical level this crisis should not deflect attention from the fact that Northern Ireland is facing over 100 million in cuts in the health budget and we need to look at the effect that will have on local services."

Lagan Valley DUP MLA Jonathan Craig said he "fully understood" Mr Robinson's decision to take time out from his role as First Minister.

The BBC Spotlight programme which broke the story claimed Mr Robinson had been aware his wife had arranged the loans and even though he told her to pay them back should have reported the matter to the authorities.

"I fully understand the party leader taking time out from what is clearly an incredibly heavy workload to sort out family issues" Mr Craig said. "I welcome the enquiries that are now taking place and hope they will quickly come to their conclusions. I believe all inquiries, when they are finished, will vindicate the position that the Party leader has done nothing wrong."

Mr Craig also voiced his support for interim First Minister Arlene Foster. "I have every confidence in Arlene Foster and her ability to fulfil the role of First Minister," he said.

He added the "vast majority" of the DUP had "voiced support for the Party leader's efforts to clear his name" and added: "I believe it is an issue for Peter to consider whether he returns as First Minister."

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