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Peter Robinson (Northern Ireland politician)

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 86.152.72.108 (talk) at 00:46, 29 December 2010 (→‎Views on homosexuality: It isn't "controversial" to say that the bible disapproves of homosexuality, as it's written in black and white in the bible. Agreeing with the bible is a separate matter.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

The Right Honourable
Peter Robinson

MLA
Peter Robinson, June 2008
First Minister of Northern Ireland
Assumed office
5 June 2008
Suspended active role
11 January 2010-3 February 2010
DeputyMartin McGuinness
Preceded byIan Paisley
Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party
Assumed office
31 May 2008
Preceded byIan Paisley
Minister of Finance and Personnel
In office
8 May 2007 – 5 June 2008
Preceded bySean Farren
Succeeded byNigel Dodds
Minister for Regional Development
In office
29 November 1999 – 27 July 2000
Preceded byNew position
Succeeded byGregory Campbell
Minister for Regional Development
In office
24 October 2001 – 11 October 2002
Preceded byGregory Campbell
Succeeded byConor Murphy
Member of Parliament
for Belfast East
In office
3 May 1979 – 7 May 2010
Preceded byWilliam Craig
Succeeded byNaomi Long
Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly
for Belfast East
Assumed office
25 June 1998
Preceded byNew Creation
Personal details
Born (1948-12-29) 29 December 1948 (age 75)
Belfast, Northern Ireland
NationalityBritish
Political partyDemocratic Unionist Party
SpouseIris Collins (1970–present)
Children2 sons, 1 daughter
Residence(s)Belfast, Northern Ireland
Alma materBelfast Metropolitan College
OccupationPolitician
ProfessionEstate agent
Websitewww.peterrobinson.org

Peter David Robinson (Born 29 December, 1948) is a senior Belfast-based Unionist politician, the current First Minister of Northern Ireland and leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). He has actively been involved in Northern Irish politics since 1970 when he became a founding member of Ian Paisley’s hardline DUP.

Robinson served as Ian Paisley’s Parliamentary Assistant at Westminster prior to assuming the role of the General Secretary of the DUP in 1975, a position of which he held until 1979 and which afforded him the opportunity to exert unprecedented influence within the fledgling Unionist party. In 1977, Robinson was elected as a councillor to the Castlereagh Borough Council in Dundonald, Belfast and in 1979 he became the youngest serving Member of Parliament (MP) when he was narrowly elected as MP for Belfast East. He held this seat until May 2010 making him the longest serving MP for any Belfast constituency since the Act of Union in 1800.

In 1980, Robinson was elected as the Deputy Leader of the DUP. Following the re-establishment of devolved government in Northern Ireland as a result of the Good Friday Agreement, Robinson was elected in 1998 as Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the constituency of Belfast East. Robinson subsequently served as Minister for Regional Development and Minister for Finance and Personnel. Robinson was elected unopposed as the new leader of the DUP on 15 April 2008 and was elected as First Minister of Northern Ireland on 5 June 2008.[1][2].

In January 2010, following a scandal involving his wife Iris Robinson, Robinson temporarily stood down for his position as First Minister and selected Arlene Foster to fulfill the role under the terms of the Northern Ireland Act 2006.[3]. Following an investigation, which cleared Robinson of allegations made by the BBC in relation to the Iris Robinson scandal, he resumed his duties as First Minister and subsequently completed the devolution of policing and justice powers to the Stormont Executive on 5 February, 2010 [4][5].

Background

Peter David Robinson was born on 29 December 1948 in Belfast, Northern Ireland, the son of Sheila and David McCrea Robinson.

Peter Robinson was educated at Annadale Grammar School, now Wellington College in East Belfast, and studied English and Mathematics at Castlereagh College, now recognised as the Castlereagh Campus of the Belfast Metropolitan College in Dundonald, Belfast.

Although Robinson’s family had no background in Unionist politics or in the Protestant Loyal Order Institutions, Peter Robinson developed an early interest in Northern Irish politics as a teenager, resulting in the publication of various political pamphlets, including ‘The North Answers Back’, which drew the young aspiring politician to the attention of Dr. Ian Paisley. In spite of Robinson’s growing enthusiasm for Unionist politics, he initially gained employment as an estate agent for Alex Murdoch & Deane in Belfast but decided to accept a decrease in salary to become the DUP’s first General Secretary in 1975.

Political career

Member of the DUP

Robinson was General Secretary of the DUP between 1975 and 1979. He first stood in the election to the Northern Ireland Constitutional Convention on 1 May 1975 in Belfast, East. Although he started in fifth place, he failed to get elected being overtaken by his running mate Eileen Paisley.[6]

Robinson was elected as a councillor for Castlereagh Borough Council for the Castlereagh C area in the local government elections on 18 May 1977.[7] He resigned from the council on 2 July 2007.[8]

Member of Parliament and Executive Minister

Robinson was selected as DUP candidate for Belfast East during the 1979 general election, a seat which previously had a big Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) majority.[6] He won the seat with a 19.9%[6] swing to the DUP and a majority of 64,[6] with Alliance Party leader Oliver Napier 928[6] votes behind, unseating the MP former Vanguard Progressive Unionist Party leader and UUP candidate William Craig on 3 May 1979.

He was re-elected to the House of Commons in 1983, 1986 (along with UUP and DUP MPs he resigned his seat in protest at the Anglo Irish Agreement on 17 December 1985 and was re-elected in the by-election the next year), 1987, 1992, 2001 and 2005. In the 2010 UK general election he lost Belfast East to Naomi Long of the Alliance party.[9]

Robinson did not sit on any committees in the United Kingdom Parliament, although he served on the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee from 1997 to 13 July 2005.[10]

In the general election on 7 June 2001, Robinson’s wife, Iris, joined him in Parliament as MP for Strangford. The Robinsons were the first husband and wife ever to represent Northern Ireland in Parliament.

Robinson was the longest-serving Member of Parliament for any Belfast constituency since the Act of Union in 1800.

Leadership of the Democratic Unionist Party

Robinson's electoral success was marked when he was elected Deputy Leader of the DUP in 1980. He was elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly for Belfast East on 20 October 1982 where he served as Chairman of the Environment Committee until it was dissolved in 1986.[6]

Robinson resigned briefly as DUP Deputy Leader in 1987 when the Task Force Report, written jointly with Ulster Unionists, Harold McCusker MP and Frank Millar and calling for a strategic unionist rethink in the wake of the Anglo-Irish Agreement was rejected by their respective leaders, Ian Paisley and James Molyneaux.

He was elected to the Northern Ireland Forum on 30 May 1996 and served in it until it completed its work in 1998.[11] On 25 June 1998, he was elected MLA for Belfast East in the Northern Ireland Assembly election.[12] He was subsequently re-elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2003 and again in 2007.

Robinson was Minister for Regional Development, which has overall responsibility for the Department for Regional Development (DRD), between 29 November 1999 to 27 July 2000 and 24 October 2001 to 11 October 2002. He was responsible for the introduction of free fares on public transport for the elderly and helped formulate the 25 year Regional Development Strategy for Northern Ireland and devised the 10 year Regional Transport Strategy.

Robinson was Minister of Finance and Personnel from 8 May 2007 to June 2008.[13]

On 4 March 2008, Ian Paisley announced that he would step down as Leader of the DUP and First Minister in May 2008.[14] On 14 April 2008, Robinson was nominated unanimously by the DUP MLAs as leader designate with Nigel Dodds as deputy leader designate of the DUP and on 17 April 2008 they were both ratified by the DUP's 120-member executive committee.[15][16] He formally became leader on 31 May 2008.

First minister

Robinson meets with United States President Barack Obama.

As Leader of the DUP, Robinson was ratified by the Northern Ireland Assembly as First Minister with Sinn Féin's Martin McGuinness as deputy First Minister (diarchy) on 5 June 2008.[17]

On 11 January 2010 Robinson announced that he was stepping down from the position of First Minister for a period of six weeks to clear his name over his financial dealings in the midst of the Iris Robinson scandal. Arlene Foster was designated to discharge the duties of First Minister until his return.[18] Mr Robinson is facing a claim that he knew his wife obtained £50,000 from two developers for her teenage lover but did not tell the proper authorities. His wife received "acute psychiatric treatment" following a BBC Spotlight documentary about the scandal. On 11 January 2010 Robinson confirmed that he had asked both the House of Commons and the Northern Ireland Assembly to carry out an inquiry into his conduct.

Political and personal controversies

Invasion of Clontibret

On 7 August 1986, in protest at the Anglo-Irish Agreement, Robinson led a group of 500 loyalists into the village of Clontibret in County Monaghan in the Republic of Ireland. The loyalists attacked the unmanned Garda station in the village and daubbed loyalist slogans on the walls. They then held a quasi-military parade along the main street and attacked two Gardaí. More Gardaí arrived shortly after and fired shots in the air, scattering the loyalist crowd. Robinson was arrested and held at Monaghan Garda station. He pleaded guilty to unlawful assembly and was fined IR£17500 in a Drogheda court to escape a prison sentence. As a result, Robinson briefly resigned from the DUP deputy leadership.[19] There was also violence both before and after a court appearance in Dundalk, including Ian Paisley being attacked with stones and petrol bombs after Jim Wells and other Robinson supporters waved flags and sang Loyalist songs.[20] At his trial the judge described him as "a senior extremist politician".[21][22]

Ulster Resistance

In November 1986, he spoke at the Ulster Hall demonstration which launched Ulster Resistance, an organisation which subsequently collaborated with the Ulster Defence Association and Ulster Volunteer Force to import arms from South Africa, resulting in Robinson leaving the organisation.[22][23] Robinson was photographed wearing the loyalist paramilitary military uniform at an Ulster Resistance demonstration.

At a rally in Enniskillen, Peter Robinson announced; "'Thousands have already joined the movement and the task of shaping them into an effective force is continuing. The Resistance has indicated that drilling and training has already started. The officers of the nine divisions have taken up their duties'.[24]

Views on homosexuality

On 30 October 2008 in his first extensive interview as First Minister interview for Hearts and Minds for BBC Northern Ireland, Peter Robinson publicly stated that homosexuality was against Christian theology.

Robinson said: “It wasn’t Iris Robinson who determined that homosexuality was an abomination, it was The Almighty. This is the Scriptures. It is a strange world indeed where somebody on the one hand talks about equality, but won’t allow Christians to have the equality, the right to speak, the right to express their views.” [25]

The comments angered LGBT Christian groups throughout the UK [citation needed].

Planning application

On 28 May 2009 the Planning Service of Northern Ireland granted Robinson planning permission for six houses to be built in his rear garden on the Gransha Road[26] in the Dundonald area of east Belfast.[27]

On 30 March 2010, the BBC reported that Robinson had purchased a piece of land from a developer for £5, enabling him to sell part of his back garden for nearly £460,000.[28] Robinson later claimed that the BBC were leading a smear campaign against him.[29]

BBC Spotlight investigation

Main article: Iris Robinson scandal

On 8 January 2010 the BBC Northern Ireland programme Spotlight[30] reported on how his wife, Iris, had obtained £50,000 for Kirk McCambley, 19 at the time, while she was sexually involved with him.[31] On the day before the Spotlight programme, Peter Robinson had made an emotional statement to the Press Association, BBC, UTV and RTÉ in regard to the relationship and mentioned that there were no financial wrongdoings.[32] However, the programme showed that when Robinson found out about the financial aspects of his wife's relationship he insisted that the money she had lobbied for and subsequently lent and gifted from two property developers to her lover be returned in full. However, he did not tell the proper authorities what he knew about the transactions between the four, despite being obliged by the Northern Ireland Executive ministerial code of conduct to act in the public interest at all times. Later that day Robinson's solicitors said he was thoroughly satisfied that he has at all times acted properly and fulfilled all requirements, and would robustly challenge any allegation to the contrary.[31]

On 11 January 2010 Robinson announced that he was stepping down from the position of First Minister for a period of six weeks. Arlene Foster was nominated as his replacement for this period.[18] Robinson lost his seat in Westminster at the 2010 General Election.

Personal life

Robinson married Iris Collins on 26 July 1970; they have three children, Jonathan, Gareth and Rebekah. His wife has joined him as a councillor, a MLA and a MP. Their son, Gareth Robinson is also member of Castlereagh Borough Council. They were the first husband and wife ever to represent Northern Ireland constituencies in Parliament. His daughter, Rebekah, served as his private secretary for his Advice Centre in the East Belfast constituency. Hazel Kerr serves as the offices main secretary.

Satire

Robinson's character on the BBC's Folks on the Hill television programme is portrayed as aggressive and constantly trying to get away from the Ian Paisley-Martin McGuinness so-called "Chuckle Brothers" image when he works with Martin McGuinness.[33] However it does not appear that he will escape a shared nickname as "Brothers Grimm" is catching on.[34]

See also

External links

Offices held

Template:Incumbent succession box
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Belfast East
1979–2010 		Succeeded by
Northern Ireland Assembly

Template:Incumbent succession box

Party political offices
Preceded by
New position
 Party Secretary of the Democratic Unionist Party
1975–1979 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Deputy Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party
1980–1987 		Succeeded by
Post vacant
Preceded by
Post vacant
 Deputy Leader of the Democratic Unionist Party
1988–2008 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by
Newly created office
 Minister for Regional Development
1999–2000 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister for Regional Development
2001–2002 		Succeeded by
Office Suspended 2002–07
(Conor Murphy, 2007–present)
Preceded by
Office suspended
 Minister of Finance and Personnel
2007–2008 		Succeeded by
Preceded by First Minister of Northern Ireland
2008–present [35] 		Succeeded by
Incumbent

References and notes

  1. ^ "Robinson to follow Paisley path". BBC News. 14 April 2008. Retrieved 15 April 2008.
  2. ^ "Robinson is new NI First Minister". BBC News. 2008-06-5. Retrieved 2008-04-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ "Peter Robinson steps aside as NI First Minister". BBC News. 11 January 2010. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  4. ^ "DUP disclose part of Peter Robinson legal advice". BBC News. 18 February 2010. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  5. ^ "Northern Ireland Parties agree Power-Sharing Deal". BBC News. 5 February 2010. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  6. ^ a b c d e f Dr. Nicholas Whyte. "ARK". ARK. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  7. ^ "ARK". ARK. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  8. ^ "Robinson resigns from Castlereagh", BBC News, 2 July 2007. Retrieved 5 June 2008.
  9. ^ "http://www.insideireland.ie/index.cfm/section/news/ext/naomilong001/category/1084 Naomi Long beats Peter Robinson to win in East Belfast]"
  10. ^ "UK Parliament". Parliament.uk. Retrieved 15 June 2010. [dead link]
  11. ^ Dr Nicholas Whyte. "ARK". ARK. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  12. ^ Dr Nicholas Whyte. "ARK". ARK. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  13. ^ "Northern Ireland Executive". Northernireland.gov.uk. 29 September 2009. Archived from the original on 22 August 2007. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  14. ^ "Paisley to quit as First Minister". BBC News. 4 March 2008. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  15. ^ "Robinson to follow Paisley path". BBC News. 14 April 2008. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  16. ^ "Robinson confirmed as DUP leader". BBC News. 17 April 2008. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  17. ^ "Robinson is new NI first minister", BBC News, 5 June 2008. Retrieved 5 June 2008.
  18. ^ a b ""Robinson takes six-week break from First Minster role"". BBC News. 11 January 2010. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  19. ^ "CAIN". Cain.ulst.ac.uk. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  20. ^ Dr Martin Melaugh. "CAIN". Cain.ulst.ac.uk. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  21. ^ Northern Ireland: A Chronology of the Troubles, 1968–99 by Paul Bew, page 202
  22. ^ a b Profile: Peter Robinson: Poised to take reins from the Big Man[dead link]
  23. ^ Crimes of Loyalty: A History of the UDA by Ian S. Wood (ISBN 0-7486-2427-9), page 133
  24. ^ "Religion and Violence: The Case of Paisley and Ulster Evangelicals". Irish-association.org. 23 June 1986. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  25. ^ "First Minister Peter Robinson backs wife's view that gays are an 'abomination'". Belfasttelegraph.co.uk. 31 October 2008. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  26. ^ "Google maps UK". Maps.google.co.uk. 1 January 1970. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  27. ^ "Robinson 'garden grab' is passed". BBC News. 28 May 2009. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  28. ^ ""Robinson bought 'key land' for £5"". BBC News. 30 March 2010. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  29. ^ "Robinson denies land wrongdoing". BBC News. 2 April 2010. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  30. ^ Edwards, Richard (7 January 2010). "Iris Robinson's lover named as Kirk McCambley". Telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  31. ^ a b "Iris Robinson business deal broke law". BBC News. 8 January 2010. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  32. ^ "Peter Robinson statement in full". BBC News. 6 January 2010. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  33. ^ British Broadcasting Corporation. "Folks on the Hill". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 15 June 2010.
  34. ^ Belfast Telegraph[dead link]
  35. ^ From 15 January 2010 until 3 February 2010, his duties as First Minister were temporarily assumed by Arlene Foster

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